Numerical study was performed to determine the fatigue limit of metallic glass under tension-compression cyclic loading. A revised free-volume theory which considers the hydrostatic stress was utilized to make the predictions. Systematical simulations showed that a higher strain amplitude is prone to making the sample completely damaged earlier. However, lower strain fluctuations could result in a longer fatigue life. Shear banding evolution history described by free-volume localization could reasonably explain the mechanical responses of different samples. In addition, compressive loading could give rise to a higher stress than that under tensile loading because of hydrostatic stress contribution. In the end, a correlation between fatigue life and applied strain amplitude was plotted which could supply a guidance for designing the engineering application of metallic glass under periodic loading.
Keywords: fatigue life; free-volume theory; hydrostatic stress; metallic glass; shear band.