To modify the poor plasticity of bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) under room temperature, the present work reported that microalloying can improve the plasticity of BMGs, and the deformation mechanism at room temperature was elucidated. The selection of minor elements, Nb and Ta have a positive heat of mixing with the based compositions. The maximum plasticity of 32.9% is shown in the Nb1 sample. The self-organize to a critical state (SOC) occurred in all BMGs, the scaling exponent beta value maintains the constant 0.24. The variation of the rotation angle of primary shear bands (SBs) is in agreement with plasticity. Meanwhile, the yield strength is linearly dependent on the local fracture toughness of BMGs. Summarily, the compressive plasticity of BMGs at room temperature can be improved by adding elements that can form positive mixing heat with the components of based compositions.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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