Conventional machining of metallic glass is a challenge due to its amorphous nature and inherent brittleness. This work investigates the non-conventional machining of Zr-based metallic glass, Vitreloy-1, using laser processing with a Yb-fiber laser and an electro-jet milling (EJM) process. Grooves were fabricated using these techniques in Vitreloy disks of 1.5 mm thickness to study the machining behavior. The grooves formed with the laser were smooth, although there was observation of dross at the groove edges, which was selectively removed through the EJM process. On the other hand, the EJM process was found to produce dross-free grooves; however, it caused leaching of zirconium from the groove zone, which was understood from the elemental maps obtained using the scanning electron microscope. A comparison of the laser grooving and EJM grooving process was also carried out using Vickers micro-indentation. Indentations made close to the groove edge in laser grooved samples developed shear bands but the same were absent in the EJM grooved samples. Since shear banding tendency is an indicator of the inherent toughness of the metallic glass, the laser grooving technique is found more suitable for nonconventional machining of metallic glass.
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