Understanding of the Shear Bands in Amorphous Metals

Shear banding is an evidence of plastic instability that localizes large shear strains in a relatively thin band when a material is plastically deformed. Shear bands have attracted much attention in amorphous metals, because shear bands are the key feature that controls the plastic deformation process. In this article, we review recent advances in understanding of the shear bands in amorphous metals regarding: dislocations versus shear bands, the formation of shear bands, hot versus cold shear bands, and property manipulation by shear band engineering. Although there are many key issues that remain puzzling, the understanding built-up from these approaches will provide a new insight for tailoring shear bands in amorphous metals, which potentially leads to unique property changes as well as improved mechanical properties. Indeed, this effort might open a new era to the future use of amorphous metals as a new menu of engineering materials.