Analysis of Impact Fracture Behavior in Bulk Amorphous Metals Using Instrumented Impact Testing Apparatus

In order to investigate the mechanical behavior of newly developed materials such as bulk amorphous metals, it is essential to use small-size specimens. An instrumented impact testing apparatus was devised which could provide a load-displacement curve on subsize Charpy specimens under impact loading without oscillations. The impact fracture behaviors of Zr-based bulk amorphous metals (BAM) were investigated by using the instrumented impact tester using both V-notched and precracked subsize Charpy specimens. It was found that most of the fracture energy absorbed was used in the process of crack initiation through the development of shear bands.