Corrosion behavior, mechanical properties and cell cytotoxity of Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

•The investigated ZrAlCoNb BMGs exhibit high corrosion resistance due to the enrichment of Zr and Al in the oxide layer.•With the addition of Nb, the plastic deformation ability of ZrAlCo is enhanced.•The cell viability is improved with increasing of Nb content.

ZrAlCoNb bulk metallic glasses with different Nb contents were fabricated by copper mold casting. Corrosion behavior, mechanical properties and cell cytotoxity were investigated. The investigated Zr-based bulk metallic glasses exhibit high corrosion resistance due to the enrichment of Zr and Al in the oxide layer. The yield strength of 1975 MPa and a plastic strain of 3.5% for Zr56Al16Co23Nb5 BMG are obtained. The cell viability is improved with increasing of Nb content.