We report a novel finding of slither propagation of shear bands on the fracture surface of a Cu47.5Zr47.5Al5 bulk metallic glass (BMG). The nanoscale heterogeneities in the as-cast state are aggregated along shear bands with irregular morphology. Such heterogeneities create a fluctuating stress field during shear band propagation leading to a slither propagation mode. The slither propagation of 10 to 15 nm wide shear bands is effective to improve both the plasticity and the “work-hardening-like” behavior of BMGs if the size, the morphology, and the elastic properties of the heterogeneities are intimately intercalated during solidification.
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