At. Kosilov et al., KINETICS OF ISOTHERMAL CREEP IN METALLIC GLASSES INCLUDING THE STATISTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF ACTIVATION PARAMETERS, Physics of the solid state, 39(11), 1997, pp. 1796-1802
A generalized theoretical model is proposed fur tile structural relaxa
tion of metallic glasses under load. Structural relaxation is treated
as a set of irreversible, uncorrelated, two-stage atomic displacements
in some regions of the structure, the ''relaxation centers.'' In load
ed samples structural relaxation acquires a directional character lead
ing to the buildup of plastic deformation in accordance with the magni
tude and orientation of the applied mechanical stress. General equatio
ns are obtained for creep kinetics including a continuous statistical
distribution of the principal activation parameters. These equations a
re compared with the results of a special experiment. The model is fou
nd to provide an adequate interpretation of the observed creep kinetic
s, except or the first 10(1)-10(2) seconds after loading. It is argued
that the initial stage of creep is determined by reversible atomic re
alignments in relaxation centers having symmetric two-well potential.
(C) 1997 American Institute of Physics.