High speed impact on Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass

High speed impact on Zr41Ti14Cu12.5Ni10Be22.5 bulk metallic glass (BMG) was realized by a two-stage light gas gun. Under planar shock wave at the impact velocity of 2.7 km/s, radial symmetric cracks formed on the shocked surface of the sample. Shear cracks/bands about 35° to the shocking direction and parallel to each other on the cross-section of the recovered sample were found in the layer subjacent to the shocked surface. Obvious traces of melting were shown inside the adiabatic shear cracks. Under spherical shock wave, crater profiles and lamination cracks were presented in addition to the adiabatic shear cracks/bands. The cracking of the BMG follows a process of nucleation, growth, and coalescence of micro-voids.