Formation and mechanical properties of Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

► Ni-free Zr-Al-Co-Cu-Ag bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with low-level cytotoxicity elements. ► The glass-forming ability (GFA) of the Zr-Al-Co-Cu alloy is significantly improved with minor addition of Ag. ► The Zr-Al-Co-Cu-Ag BMGs exhibit high compressive strength of over 2000 MPa and a certain plasticity.