Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glass with potential for biomedical applications produced by spark plasma sintering

We produced large size Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) process using gas-atomized Ti45Zr10Cu31Pd10Sn4 glassy alloy powders. The effects of sintering temperature on densification, structure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior in Hanks' solution of the sintered samples were investigated. The high strength sintered samples with high densification and no crystallization were obtained by the SPS process at a sintering temperature of 643 K with a loading pressure of 600 MPa. The BMGs produced by the SPS process can offer excellent properties and satisfying large sample-size requirements. The Ti-based BMGs without toxic elements open possibilities of application as biomedical materials.

► Large size Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses were produced by spark plasma sintering.
► High strength and densification sintered glassy samples were obtained at 643 K.
► Polarization curve of the samples prepared at 643 K showed a flat passive region.
► The samples prepared at 643 K exhibited a higher pitting potential.