A Ni-, Al-, Be-free Zr-based metallic glass for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 500; pp. 78 - 83
• Main Authors: Baulin, Oriane, Fabrègue, Damien, Kato, Hidemi, Wada, Takeshi, Balvay, Sandra, Hartmann, Daniel J., Pelletier, Jean-Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.11.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Engineering Sciences; Immersion resistance; Materials; Mechanical properties; Metallic glasses; Zr alloys; Mechanical properties; Metallic glasses; Immersion resistance; Zr alloys; Biomaterials; Glass; Ternary alloys; Zr-based metallic glass; Gallium alloys; Glass transition; Tin alloys; Research interests; Osteoblast-like cells; Medical applications; Simulated body fluids; Activation energy; Metallic glass; Zirconium alloys; Differential scanning calorimetry; Elastic moduli; Biomedical applications; Nanoindentation; Corrosion resistance; Silicon alloys; Supercooled liquid region; Supercooling; Cobalt alloys
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2018.06.026

Biomaterials are attracting an ever-increasing research interest. As part of this overall effort, we report herein the fabrication and characteristics of Zr-based ribbon samples with three different compositions: Zr56Co28Ga16, Zr56Co28Ga14Si2, and Zr56Co28Ga14Sn2. The supercooled-liquid region ΔT = Tx − Tg of these materials is 16, 18, and 29 K, respectively, where Tx is the temperature of the onset of crystallization and Tg is the glass-transition temperature. The samples are thermally characterized by using differential scanning calorimetry and by determining the activation energy. The corrosion resistance is determined by immersing the materials for up to 20 days in a simulated body fluid, and the cytotoxicity is measured from the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells on the samples. Finally, the mechanical properties are investigated by nanoindentation. The Young's modulus is 112 GPa. These results all highlight the suitability of this metallic glass for biomedical applications. •A new, Zr-based metallic glass was elaborated as biomaterials, without Fe, Ni or Al.•Replacing Al by Ga was investigated and biocompatibility of the alloy is promising.•This Zr-glass exhibits a good thermal stability and good corrosion resistance.•Additions of Si/ Sn in the system increase corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.•Young modulus is lower than that of common crystalline alloys used as biomaterials.