Effects of ZrCuAl bulk metallic glasses Poisson’s ratios on spalling process induced by laser shock

Abstract

To face High Velocity Impacts, the aerospace industry has a constant need for innovative materials that can be used as debris shielding components. Bulk Metallic Glasses (BMG) revealed interesting mechanical properties in case of static and quasistatic loading conditions: high elasticity, high toughness, low density and high fracture threshold. The department of Mechanics and Glass of the Institute of Physics Rennes conducted laser shock experiments (ELFIE facility) to study compositional effects on the behavior of a ternary ZrCuAl BMG under high strain rate, up-to the fragmentation process. Ejecta velocities were measured by Photonic Doppler Velocimetry and debris morphologies were observed by shadowgraphy. Scanning Electron Microscopy observations revealed the influence of the composition on fracture surfaces morphologies. A dependency of spalling process has been correlated to Poisson's ratio (i.e. zirconium content).