CuZrAlTi Bulk Metallic Glass with Enhanced Glass-Forming Ability, Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility

The effect of titanium addition on the glass forming ability (GFA), plasticity, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of CuZrAl alloy are evaluated by XRD, DSC, compression tests, corrosion, and cytotoxicity tests. The GFA of Cu45Zr48Al7 amorphous alloy is greatly improved by titanium addition, as evidenced by the increase of critical size from less than 8 mm for Cu45Zr48Al7 alloy to 10 mm for Cu45Zr46.5Al7Ti1.5 alloy when the samples are prepared by copper mold casting. Cu45Zr46.5Al7Ti1.5 alloy shows enhanced plastic strain up to 10%, good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility in comparison to Cu45Zr48Al7 alloy. The simultaneous enhancement of glass forming ability, plasticity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility of CuZrAl alloy is achieved by minor alloying addition. The obtained amorphous Cu45Zr46.5Al7Ti1.5 alloy shows critical diameter of up to 1 cm, enhanced plastic strain of up to 10%, good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. The combination of these merits makes this alloy a promising material for structural and biomedical applications.