Fe-based bulk metallic glasses usually exhibit very poor ductility (<0.5%), which has limited their applications. Here the authors report an Fe-based bulk metallic glass which shows a plastic strain of ∼5.2%, together with high strength and distinct strain-hardening characteristics. Its yield strength is ∼2.32GPa, while the ultimate strength is ∼2.80GPa due to the strain-hardening effect. Multiple shear bands and related shear ledges are observed on the deformed specimen. The high plasticity and strain hardening are attributed to the nanoscale inhomogeneity that resulted from liquid phase separation, which can hinder the propagation of shear bands and promote multiple shearing.

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