Paulo Branicio¹; ¹University of Southern California

The deformation and failure of gradient nanoglasses are investigated with tensile loading large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Cu64Zr36 metallic glasses are used as parent alloys for the construction of functionally graded nanoglasses with grain sizes from 3 to 15 nm. Tensile loading simulations are used to characterize the mechanical behavior of the heterogeneous metallic glass and clarify the plastic deformation mechanisms. Results indicate a strong localization of the plastic deformation beyond the yield point for loading parallel to the gradient direction in soft regions with high concentration of reduced grain sizes. Loading perpendicular to the gradient direction indicates overall significant delocalization of plasticity throughout the sample. Results indicate a synergy of the gradient design and a superior combination of strength and ductility for gradient nanoglasses with a hard core (large grain size) compare with gradient nanoglasses with soft core (small grain sizes), in agreement with reports for gradient nanocrystalline systems.