Formation and bioactivation of Zr-Al-Co bulk metallic glasses

A Cu- and Ni-free Zr-based metallic glass with high glass-forming ability was found in the Zr-Al-Co ternary system. The eutectic Zr(56)Al(16)Co(28) alloy could be cast into glassy cylindrical rods with diameters up to 18 mm. The glassy alloy exhibited high tensile fracture strength of 1830 MPa and low Young's modulus of 83 GPa in conjunction with better corrosion resistance compared with the glassy Zr(57)Nb(5)Al(10)Ni(12.6)Cu(15.4) in a simulated body fluid. Hydrothermal-electrochemical treatment in the aqueous 5M-NaOH solution resulted in the formation of amorphous sodium cobaltate layer on the surface of glassy Zr(56)Al(16)Co(28) alloy. Hydroxyapatite was spontaneously formed on the surface of the alloy, indicating bioactivity after surface modification. The discovery of a Cu- and Ni-free Zr-based metallic glass with a critical diameter larger than 1 cm in conjunction with excellent mechanical properties, superior corrosion resistance, and good bioactivity may open up the application field as biomaterials.