X-ray diffraction(XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) were applied to investigate the microstructure changing during the Vickers indentation of the Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu12.5Ag5 amorphous alloy.The results showed that the micro-sized crystals precipitated under the indenter edges and nano-sized crystals form under the indenter tip.The nucleation behaviors induced by indentation was investigated with help of the finite element simulation in the deformed regions.On the tip region with larger compressive stresses

the nucleation activation energy becomes much lower while the nucleation rate becomes considerably larger.The results show that the compressive stress is one of the most important factors influencing on the crystallization kinetics of an amorphous alloy during plastic deformation.