Stress-temperature scaling for steady-state flow in metallic glasses

Through computer simulation of steady-state flow in a Zr50Cu40Al10 metallic glass using a set of realistic potentials we find a simple scaling relationship between temperature and stress as they affect viscosity. The scaling relationship provides new insight into the microscopic mechanism of shear flow in the glassy state, in terms of the elastic energy of the applied stress modifying the local energy landscape. The results suggest that the plastic flow and mechanical failure in metallic glasses are consequences of stress-induced glass transition.