Preparation of open-cell porous Zr-based bulk glassy alloy

Abstract

A Zr-Nb-Al-Ni-Cu porous bulk glassy alloy was prepared by a melt infiltration technique using La2O3 compact. The alloy has open-cell structure with a pore size of about 50 micrometer and roughened cell wall structure. The yield strength and Young's modulus of the porous alloy are 180 MPa and 17 GPa, respectively, which are coincident with those for human cortical bone. The porous alloy exhibited good corrosion resistance in a simulated human body fluid, indicating the possibility of application as biomaterials. © 2007 The Japan Institute of Metals.