Mg–Ca–Zn Bulk Metallic Glasses with High Strength and Significant Ductility

The development of Mg–Ca–Zn metallic glasses with improved bulk glass forming ability, high strength, and significant ductility is reported. A typical size of at least 3–4 mm amorphous samples can be prepared using conventional casting techniques. By varying the composition, the mass density of these light metal based bulk amorphous alloys ranges from 2.0 to 3.0 g/cm³. The typical measured microhardness is 2.16 GPa, corresponding to a fracture strength of about 700 MPa and specific strength of around 250–300 MPa cm³/g. Unlike other Mg- or Ca-based metallic glasses, the present Mg–Ca–Zn amorphous alloys show significant ductility.