Formation and properties of biocompatible Ti-based bulk metallic glasses in the Ti-Cu-Zr-Fe-Sn-Si-Ag system

The Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with high glass-forming ability (GFA) can be synthesized in the (Ti, Cu, Zr)92.5Fe2.5Sn2Si1Ag2 alloy system over a wide composition range by copper-mold casting. Especially, the Ti48Cu37Zr7.5Fe2.5Sn2Si1Ag2 glassy alloy can form the BMG rod with a diameter up to 6 mm and showed a high compressive strength of - 2.05 GPa, elastic modulus of - 100 GPa, and microhardness of - 571 Hv. The Tibased BMGs presented good bio-corrosion resistance in a simulated physiological environment attributed to the formation of Ti-, Zr-, Si-, and Fe-enriched passive films. The biocompatibility of the Ti-based glassy alloys was systematically investigated by both indirect cytotoxicity test and direct cell-culture experiments. The Ti-based BMG extracts had no cytotoxic effects on the proliferation of the cells. The good cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of bone-forming MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts on the BMGs were parallel to those on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. These results manifested that the present Ti-based BMGs are promising candidates as biomaterials.

Automated summary

Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses with high glass-forming ability can be synthesized in a wide composition range by copper-mold casting. These glasses displayed good bio-corrosion resistance and biocompatibility in a simulated physiological environment, making them promising candidates as biomaterials.