Fabrication and Characterization of Micro-Dent Produced by Laser Shock Peening on Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glass

Abstract

A Zr41.2Ti13.8Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 (vit1) bulk metallic glass was processed by Nd: Glass laser pulses with duration 30ns and energy in the range 20 to 30J. The surface morphology and surface micro-hardness of the vit1 metallic glass, treated with varying laser energy, had been studied in detail. Laser shock peening induced plastic deformation and caused a micro-dent to be generated on the vit1 surface. The optical profiling tests showed that laser pulse energy greatly influenced the diameter and depth of the micro-dents. The surface roughness which was caused by various laser pulse energy was assessed and characterized. The three-dimensional surface topography of the laser treated region on vit1 surfaces had been characterized. In addition the plastic deformation features were also studied.