Development and characterization of titanium-based bulk metallic glasses

The amorphous structure of bulk metallic glasses results in outstanding properties, which are able to outshine the properties of common metallic biomaterials. In particular, Ti-based bulk metallic glasses are interesting candidates for the use as biomaterial or as structural material in lightweight applications. However, the usage of known Ti-based bulk metallic glasses with casting thicknesses of several millimeters is strongly limited due to the large content of rare, expensive and harmful elements. In this work, we design Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses with a low Cu-content, being suitable for the application as biomaterial. On the basis of the binary Ti-Ni system, novel glass forming alloys are developed by the addition of sulfur. In order to increase the glass forming ability and to reduce the Ni-content, Ti was substituted with Zr and Ni with Cu. Finally, it is possible to produce synchrotron X-ray amorphous samples with a diameter of 3 mm for the Ni-free alloy Ti40Zr35Cu17S8. Furthermore, it is shown that industrial grade raw materials can be used for the synthesis of amorphous samples of this alloy without diminishing the glass forming ability or the mechanical properties. Characterization by mechanical and electrochemical tests proves the superiority of the novel alloys over commercial amorphous and crystalline alloys. All in all, a new class of Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses with unprecedented properties is developed, being highly attractive for a widespread use.