Indentation creep behaviors of amorphous Cu-based composite alloys

Highlights: • Indentation creep of two Si2Zr3/amorphous Cu-based composite alloys utilizing nanoindentation. • Si elements cause the relatively dense structure in the amorphous matrix. • Distinct disparity in different regions may deteriorate the plastic deformation. - Abstract: This work reports the indentation creep behaviors of two Si₂Zr₃/amorphous Cu-based composite alloys utilizing nanoindentation technique. By analysis with Kelvin model, the retardation spectra of alloys at different positions, detached and attached regions to the intermetallics, were deduced. For the indentation of detached regions to Si₂Zr₃ intermetallics in both alloys, very similarity in creep displacement can be observed and retardation spectra show a distinct disparity in the second retardation peak. For the indentation of detached regions, the second retardation spectra also display distinct disparity. At both positions, the retardation spectra suggest that Si elements may lead to the relatively dense structure in the amorphous matrix and to form excessive Si₂Zr₃ intermetallics which may deteriorate the plastic deformation of current Cu-based composite alloys.