We report a brittle Mg-based bulk metallic glass which approaches the ideal brittle behavior. However, a dimple structure is observed at the fracture surface by high resolution scanning electron microscopy, indicating some type of “ductile” fracture mechanism in this very brittle glass. We also show, from the available data, a clear correlation between the fracture toughness and plastic process zone size for various glasses. The results indicate that the fracture in brittle metallic glassy materials might also proceed through the local softening mechanism but at different length scales.

We report a close correlation between the dynamic behavior of serrated flow and the plasticity in metallic glasses (MGs) and show that the plastic deformation of ductile MGs can evolve into a self-organized critical state characterized by the power-law distribution of shear avalanches. A stick-slip model considering the interaction of multiple shear bands is presented to reveal complex scale-free intermittent shear-band motions in ductile MGs and quantitatively reproduce the experimental observations. Our studies have implications for understanding the precise plastic deformation mechanism of MGs.

We report cerium-based bulk metallic glasses with an exceptionally low glass transition temperature $T_g$, similar to or lower than that of many polymers. We demonstrate that, in near-boiling water, these materials can be repeatedly shaped, and can thus be regarded as metallic plastics. Their resistance to crystallization permits extended forming times above $T_g$ and ensures an adequate lifetime at room temperature. Such materials, combining polymerlike thermoplastic behavior with the distinctive properties of metallic glasses, are highly unusual for metallic alloys and have great potential in applications and can also facilitate studies of the supercooled liquid state.

Magnetocaloric effect and refrigerant capacity of Gd-based ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{53}{\mathrm{Al}}_{24}{\mathrm{Co}}_{20}{\mathrm{Zr}}_3$ and ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{33}{\mathrm{Er}}_{22}{\mathrm{Al}}_{25}{\mathrm{Co}}_{20}$ bulk metallic glasses are investigated. It is found that the magnetic entropy changes compare favorably with that of Gd and are slightly larger than that of the known crystalline magnetic refrigerant compound ${\mathrm{Gd}}_5{\mathrm{Si}}_2{\mathrm{Ge}}_{1.9}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.1}$ . Their good refrigerant efficiency combining with high electrical resistivity, high thermal stability, outstanding mechanical properties, tunable nature, and sufficiently soft magnetic property make them an attractive candidate for magnetic refrigerants in the temperature range of $10–100\mathrm{K}$ .