Zr 55.8 Al 19.4 (Co 1− x Cu x ) 24.8 ( x = 0–0.8 at.%) bulk metallic glasses for surgical devices applications

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 Zr 55.8 Al 19.4 (Co 1− x Cu x ) 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 Zr 55.8 Al 19.4 Co 17.36 Cu 7.44 BMG exhibited a centimeter-scale glass formation size ( d max = 12 mm), an ultrahigh strength ( σ y = 2.04 GPa), a large room-temperature plasticity ( ε p = 4.0%), and a fracture toughness ( K Q = 120 MPa m 1/2 ), 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.