Anelastic relaxation considering physical aging effects in a high-entropy metallic glass

The understanding of the anelastic relaxation in metallic glasses remains an open issue. In this study, the creep behavior of Pd₂₀Pt₂₀Cu₂₀Ni₂₀P₂₀ high-entropy metallic glass is studied considering stress and aging effects. Through the power-law relationship between creep rate and time, we analyze the transient creep stage of the metallic glass. It is demonstrated how the retardation time spectrum, which determines the deformation behavior under low stresses, is influenced by the effects of applied stress and the stabilization induced by physical aging. The activation energy spectrum, associated with anelastic deformation units, shows a wide shape and significantly evolves due to structural changes during the aging process. The results in this work provide quantitative insights into the effects of physical aging on the anelastic part of the deformation behavior of metallic glasses.