Mg-Ca-Zn bulk metallic glasses with high strength and significant ductility

The development of Mg-Ca-Zn metallic glasses with improved bulk glass forming ability, high strength, and significant ductility is reported. A typical size of at least 3-4 mm amorphous samples can be prepared using conventional casting techniques. By varying the composition, the mass density of these light metal based bulk amorphous alloys ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 g/cm(3). The typical measured microhardness is 2.16 GPa, corresponding to a fracture strength of about 700 MPa and specific strength of around 250-300 MPa cm(3)/g. Unlike other Mg- or Ca-based metallic glasses, the present Mg-Ca-Zn amorphous alloys show significant ductility.