Effect of strain rate on the formation of nanocrystallites in an Al-based amorphous alloy during nanoindentation

The effect of deformation by nanoindentation on nanocrystallization in amorphous Al90Fe5Gd5 was investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Massive precipitation of nanocrystallites is observed within the indents. Under the quasistatic condition used, a temperature rise due to adiabatic heating is likely negligible, confirming that plastic deformation can induce crystallization without a heating effect. The nucleation of nanocrystallites is significantly affected by the strain rate.