Zr55.8Al19.4(Co1−xCux)24.8 (x = 0–0.8 at.%) bulk metallic glasses for surgical devices applications

Abstract

Zr–Al–Co–Cu bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are promising surgical materials. By using the electron concentration criterion for BMG composition design, a series of Zr55.8Al19.4(Co1−xCux)24.8 (x = 0–0.8 at.%) alloys were produced, of which BMG rod samples with different diameters were made by copper mold casting. Among these alloys, the Zr55.8Al19.4Co17.36Cu7.44 BMG exhibited a centimeter-scale glass formation size (dmax = 12 mm), an ultrahigh strength (σy = 2.04 GPa), a large room-temperature plasticity (ep = 4.0%), and a fracture toughness (KQ = 120 MPa m1/2), as well as good corrosion resistance in phosphate-buffered solution. The attainment of the combination of properties as large glass-forming ability with excellent mechanical and corrosion stability would suit the surgical devices applications.