Unexpected creep behavior in a rejuvenated metallic glass

Rejuvenation, bringing metallic glasses (MGs) to the younger and higher energy states, provides an alternative avenue to explore the interplay between the property and microstructures of MGs. In this study, the creep behavior of the Zr_69.5Cu₁₂Ni₁₁Al_7.5 MGs was experimentally examined by controlling the energy state in terms of structural rejuvenation and thermal annealing. It is found that compared to the as-cast counterpart, the annealed MG at a lower energy state exhibits a higher hardness, a smaller displacement, and a lower creep rate due to the decreased free volume and the inhibited activation of the shear transformation zone. Conversely, the rejuvenated MG at a high energy state displays lower hardness and increased free volume content, yet it demonstrates superior creep resistance compared to its as-cast counterpart, which deviates from conventional understanding. This unexpected phenomenon occurs as the initial high-content free volume annihilates during creep, and strain hardening takes precedence over strain softening as the prevailing process during creep deformation, leading to a superior creep performance in extremely rejuvenated MGs.