Papers by Author: Sébastien Gravier

Abstract: Due to their brittleness, bulk metallic glasses (BMG) are generally difficult to form at room temperature. Casting of BMG is one way to get components but an alternative route is to use the capacity to reach particularly large strains when the glasses are deformed in their supercooled liquid region (SLR). The experimental window (temperature, time) in which high temperature forming can be carried out is directly related to the glass resistance to crystallization. Such forming windows have been identified for various bulk metallic glasses (mainly zirconium and magnesium based BMG) thanks to compression tests in the supercooled liquid region. The effects of partial crystallization on the high temperature rheologies are also discussed. Finally, forming experiments were carried out in the selected windows.

Abstract: Depending on the loading conditions, geometry and material characteristics, the ductility of thin metallic films is controlled either by the resistance to plastic localization or by the resistance to internal damage. New on-chip tensile tests performed on submicron aluminium films show significant strain hardening capacity leading to relatively good resistance to necking, while damage occurs through void nucleation at grain boundaries followed by their growth and coalescence. These results are discussed in the light of several other studies presented in the recent literature in order to unravel the origins of the frequently reported poor ductility of thin metallic films, and the various means existing to improve it.

Abstract: The effect of partial crystallization on the mechanical properties of a Zr based bulk metallic glass (Vitreloy 1) is investigated. Viscoelastic properties are studied by mechanical spectroscopy in large frequency and temperature ranges, both below or above the glass transition temperature (Tg), whereas viscoplastic properties are investigated by compression tests . To study the interaction between crystallization and mechanical properties at high temperature, nanocomposites are produced thanks to appropriate heat treatments. Formation of nanocrystalline particles induces an increase of the storage elastic modulus, especially in the glass transition range, where this modulus is very low in the amorphous material. It also results in a decrease of the loss elastic modulus, corresponding to a decrease of the atomic mobility. Finally, partial crystallization induces very large hardening revealed by the compression tests but the hardening extent depends strongly on the applied strain rate.