Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 March 2011
Advanced diagnostic instruments and analyses applied to failure surfaces and cross sections of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) can provide insight into the deformation and failure of these materials and assist in prototyping new materials with improved failure resistance. Confocal- optics scanning laser microscopic analysis of conjugate fracture surface topographs suggests that the formation and stretching of ligaments are likely keys to the high impact toughness of Vitreloy.