A Ni-free high-zirconium-based bulk metallic glass with enhanced plasticity and biocompatibility

A novel Ni-free high-zirconium-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) of Zr65Ti2.5Al10Fe7.5Cu10Ag5 was fabricated by copper mold casting. The mechanical behavior and initial in vitro biocompatibility of BMG were investigated. The newly developed BMG exhibited excellent room temperature plasticity and toughness with compressive plastic strain over 12% and notch toughness of 95.8 ± 7.5 MPa m1/2. Live/dead staining and WST-1 assay results revealed higher cell viability and proliferation activity of mouse MC3T3-E1 cell on the BMG substrate than on Ti–6Al–4V alloy and pure Zr. The combination of enhanced mechanical properties and in vitro biocompatibility demonstrated its promise for biomedical applications.