Indentation behavior of metallic glass via molecular dynamics simulation

Metallic glasses, also known as glassy metals, exhibit unique mechanical properties in terms of their strength and ductility due to their noncrystalline microstructures. By performing molecular dynamics simulations, thin-film metallic glasses can be prepared by simulated sputter deposition processes. The deposition simulations were conducted with a tight-binding interatomic potential, and argon working gas was modeled by the pair-wise Moliere potential. The atomic structures of the glasses are verified by the radial distribution functions. After deposition simulation and suitable equilibration, the deposited amorphous films were simulated for their indentation properties by a right-angle conical indenter tip at selected temperatures. The hardness and Young’s modulus of the glasses show strong temperature dependence. The calculated pileup index of the films may be used to indicate the glass transition temperature.