This titanium-based metallic glass (i.e., amorphous alloy) is high-strength and non-toxic, suitable for surgical implants
Background Titanium-based metallic glasses (TBMGs) are a class of advanced materials known for their unique combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. These properties make them highly attractive for applications in biomedical devices, aerospace components, and consumer electronics. However, the widespread adoption of TBMGs has been hindered by their poor glass-forming ability (GFA), which limits the size and shape of components that can be manufactured without crystallization. Most existing TBMGs require at least one dimension to be under 6 mm to maintain an amorphous structure, and many rely on toxic elements like beryllium or expensive precious metals such as palladium or silver to improve GFA. This poses environmental, health, and cost challenges, restricting their commercial viability. The composition disclosed here addresses these limitations by introducing a new family of non-toxic, precious-metal-free TBMGs with exceptional GFA, enabling a critical casting dimension of 12 mm. This significantly enhances the manufacturability and scalability of TBMGs, opening new applications in high-performance, durable, and biocompatible components across multiple industries.
Technology Description This invention introduces a novel class of titanium-based metallic glasses formulated within the pseudo-ternary system (TiZrHf)x(CuNi)y(SnSi)z. These alloys are entirely free of toxic and precious metals, yet they exhibit record-breaking glass-forming ability, with critical casting diameters reaching up to 12 mm—double the previous benchmark for similar compositions. One example alloy composition demonstrates superior manufacturability, mechanical strength up to 2.7 GPa, and specific strength up to 370 N·m/g, with notable hardness. These properties are attributed to high crystallization activation energy and efficient atomic packing, which suppress crystallization during cooling. The alloys are produced via vacuum arc melting followed by tilt casting into copper molds, yielding smooth, fully amorphous geometries. Their performance surpasses conventional light-weight alloys like Ti–6Al–4V and AZ91, and even many existing metallic glasses. The combination of high strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility makes these materials ideal for structural and functional orthopedic applications, especially where durability and precision are critical. This innovation paves the way for broader commercial use of TBMGs in sectors that demand high-performance materials without the drawbacks of toxicity or high cost.
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Status Seeking development partners and licensees to commercialize the material in suitable applications. US Patent Application No. 19/022,514