Mechanical behavior and wear performance of a Ti-based bulk metallic glass composite containing dendritic and intermetallic phases

A biocompatible bulk metallic glass composite (BMGC) alloy with a nominal composition of Ti56Zr6Cu19.8Pd8.4Sn1.8Nb8 was designed to obtain microstructure consisting of β-Ti dendrites and glassy matrix. It was found that Nb-rich β-Ti dendrites were the primary phase in the alloy, and extra discontinuous island-like Ti2Cu phase was also produced in the glassy matrix. The BMGC alloy presented higher yield strength, remarkably increased plasticity and pronounced work-hardening characteristic. Furthermore, excellent sliding wear resistance was exhibited by the alloy due to the work-hardening capability and the contribution of the Ti2Cu intermetallic phase.