Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, 5, 213-221

213

Recent Progress in the Industrialization of Metallic Glasses

Eugen M. Axinte* and Marius P.I. Chirileanu
Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Machine Manufacturing and Industrial Management, Iasi,
Romania
Received: January 27, 2012; Accepted: February 15, 2012; Revised: February 26, 2012

Abstract: Metallic Glasses (MGs), also called glassy metals (amorphous metals, liquid metals) are considered to be the
materials of the future. Metallic glasses, formed at very low critical cooling rates, are different from traditional amorphous
alloys (which are usually formed at high cooling rates) in order to avoid crystallization. The most important feature of
MGs, which distinguishes them from ordinary amorphous materials, is the glass transition that transforms super cooled
liquids into a glassy state when cooled from high to low temperature. Some scientists have been investigating the mechanisms and dynamics of metallic glass formation, their atomic structure, micromechanisms of mechanical properties, etc.
They have also been exploring the atomic-scale mechanisms of MG formation and the development of new bulk glassy alloys and composites with improved glass-forming ability. Other scientists focus on manufacturing and industrialization of
MGs. At the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), there are currently more than 30 groups working on the science,
preparation and applications of MGs. The Amorphous Materials and Physics Group at CAS has developed a series of rare
earth-based RE-MGs with functional physical properties. In the US, there are science groups that have made successful
progress in the area of metallic glasses. More specifically, the US-based team from Yale and the science group from Caltech are more focused on practical aspects relating to MGs (production, industrialization, biomedical materials and aerospace materials). This patent review article briefly investigates the industrialization and some environmental aspects of
MGs, as follows: biocompatibility of most MGs, obtaining valuable MGs from low-purity industrial raw materials, use of
MGs in green energy applications (solar cells, hydrogen production), use of MGs in catalyst systems and possibilities for
using metallic glasses in systems for retention and purification of dangerous pollutants.

Keywords: Aerospace, atomic structure, biomedical, defence, environmental, glass forming ability, green energy, metallic
glasses, new alloys, processing.
1. INTRODUCTION
Metallic glasses are defined as amorphous alloys that
exhibit a glass transition, from which their properties of extreme strength at low temperatures and high flexibility at
high temperatures are derived, along with thermodynamic
and physical properties that change abruptly at the glass
transition temperature (Tg).
The first scientifically obtained metallic glass reported
was the Au75Si25 alloy produced at Caltech by Klement, Willens and Duwez in 1959, through extremely rapid cooling of
the melted alloy (nearly 106 K per second).
An important consequence of high cooling rates in the
formation of metallic glasses was that metallic glasses could
only be produced in a limited number of forms (typically
ribbons, foils, or wires) in which one dimension was small so
that heat could be extracted quickly enough to achieve the
necessary cooling rate [1, 2]. As a result, metallic glass
specimens (with a few exceptions) were limited to thicknesses of less than one hundred micrometers. A few exceptions were found in noble metal-based alloys, such as PdCu-Si alloys. These alloys have very low critical cooling
rates of ~10Ks1 and can make glassy samples with a bulk
*Address correspondence to this author at the Gh.Asachi Technical University of Iasi Faculty of Machine Manufacturing & Industrial Management .59
A -Prof. Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd, Iasi, Romania;
Tel:/Fax: (04)0232217290; E-mail: axintee@tuiasi.ro

1874-46/12 $100.00+.00

impact on the materials science community. This is in part

due to the fact that although the noble metals of palladium
and platinum are good for improving glass-forming ability,
they are too expensive to be used for a wide range of applications [2].
In the 1990s, new alloys were developed that formed
glasses at cooling rates as low as 1Ks-1. Such cooling rates
can be achieved by simple casting into metallic moulds.
These "bulk" amorphous alloys can be cast into parts of up to
several centimetres in thickness (the maximum thickness
depending on the alloy) while retaining an amorphous structure. The best glass-forming alloys are based on zirconium
and palladium, but alloys based on iron, titanium, copper,
magnesium, and other metals are also known. In recent
years, extensive investigations were transferred to novel
multi-component bulk glass-forming alloy systems, mostly
to Zr-based alloys, but also more and more to Pd-, Fe-, Cu,
Ni-, Pr-, Nb- and Nd-based systems.
Metallic glasses are at the cutting edge of research and
they are of considerable significance in condensed matter
physics, material science and engineering [3].
2. RECENT PROGRESS IN RESEARCH ON METALLIC GLASSES
2.1. Brief on the Local Structure of MGs
According to [4-7], there are two major challenges in the
study of MG structures: how to construct a realistic three 2012 Bentham Science Publishers

214 Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

Axinte and Chirileanu

dimensional (3-D) amorphous structure, using experimental

and/or computational tools and how to effectively characterize a given amorphous structure and extract the key structural features relevant to the fundamentals of glass formation
and properties, using appropriate structural parameters.
Structural models, such as Bernals dense random packing
and Gaskels short-range order have been proposed in the
past fifty years.
In [6], the authors reported their direct observation of the
distinct patterns that result from the diffraction of an electron
beam from individual atomic coordination polyhedra inside a
metallic glass. This study provides compelling evidence of
the local atomic order in the disordered material and has important implications in understanding the atomic mechanisms of metallic-glass formation and its properties.
A simulated model of glassy Zr66.7Ni33.3, which shows the
atomic configuration with 198 atoms (132 Zr and 66 Ni), is
presented in Fig. (1).

Fig. (2). High-resolution TEM image of a low-carbon steel crystal

showing well-defined lattice fringes. Inset, the corresponding selected-area electron diffraction pattern showing sharp spots. (a)
High-resolution TEM image (b) of the Zr67Ni33 metallic glass2,
showing a maze-like pattern. Inset, the corresponding selected-area
electron diffraction pattern shows diffuse haloes, in stark contrast
with the crystalline pattern in a. (Courtesy of A. Hirata and M. W.
Chen, Tohoku University.) (Adapted with permission from [7]
2011 NPG).

alloys is as large as 60%. The significant difference in me

chanical properties is thought to be a reflection of the difference in the deformation and fracture mechanisms between
MGs and crystalline alloys. Plastic deformation in metallic
glasses is generally associated with inhomogeneous flow in
highly localized shear bands.
In [8], the authors prepared bulk MG samples using a
copper mould suction casting method. The amorphous ribbons were obtained through the melt spinning technique. A
study of the similarity and correlations between relaxations
and plastic deformation in metallic glasses (MGs) and MGforming liquids was provided. Figure 3 schematically illustrates the flow based on the concept of potential energy
landscape (PEL).

Fig. (1). A structural model with 132 Zr atoms (white spheres) and
66 Ni atoms (blue spheres). (Extracted and reproduced with permission from [6] Copyright 2010, Nature Publishing Group).

Recently, it was proposed and demonstrated that the

structure of metallic glasses can be best viewed as comprising interpenetrating quasi-equivalent clusters (coordination
polyhedra). Each atom in the alloy is surrounded by a preferred number of neighbours in preferred proportions and
with a preferred geometry Fig. (2).
The intimate structure of metallic glasses is far from being completely understood and elucidated and it is very difficult to describe and quantify. Predictions about how atomic
structure influences the macroscopic properties of MGs are
still difficult to make.
2.2. Recent Research on MG Behaviour
All studies conclude that MGs have much higher tensile
strengths and much lower Youngs moduli. The difference in
the values corresponding to MGs versus those of crystalline

Fig. (3). Schematic illustration of the flow based on the concept

of potential energy landscape (PEL) (adapted with permission
from [8] 2011 Elsevier).

The arrows indicate the possible motion of atoms. The

potential shear transformation zone (STZ) events are localized with cooperative nature and are reversible due to

Industrialization of Metallic Glasses

confinements of surrounding materials, while
-relaxation (percolation of STZs, or plastic flow and yielding)
incorporates large scale atomic migration and irreversibility).
In [9], the authors reported a strain-rate-dependent plasticity in a Zr-based bulk metallic glass (BMG) under axial
compression. The dynamic shear-band operations in a Zr
based BMG were investigated during compression at various
strain rates, reflecting that the shear band events are highly
dependent on strain rates. This research may open new horizons in understanding strain-rate-dependent plastic deformation (shear-band operations) of MGs.
Metallic glass composites (MGCs) were developed to
improve plasticity of metallic glasses. In [10], the authors
used a monochromatic X-ray beam to map the distributions
of lattice strain under compressive loading mode.
In [11], the authors reported the formation of a series of
high mixing entropy MGs based on multiple major elements,
which have excellent glass- forming ability and mechanical
properties compared to conventional MGs. The high mixing
entropy MGs based on multiple major elements may be of
significance in scientific studies. This research provides a
novel approach in the search for new metallic glass-forming
systems.
A team led by Mao from Carnegie Geophysical Laboratory created a metallic glass ordered at large scale (LRO). A
single crystal was obtained by applying 25GPa of pressure
(equivalent to 1800 tons per square inch) to the ceriumaluminium glass and the new order formed is preserved even
when the glass is restored to ambient pressure [12-14].
The experiment is illustrated schematically in Fig. (4).

Fig. (4). Experimental schema for obtaining a metallic glass ordered at large scale (adapted from [14] 2011 Carnegie Institute).

3. ASPECTS OF MG INDUSTRIALIZATION
Below is a brief evaluation of some current aspects relating to MG uses and industrialization, including: biocompatibility of most MGs, obtaining valuable MGs from low-purity
raw materials and use of MGs in green energy applications
(solar cells, hydrogen production).

Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

215

3.1. MGs for biomedical applications

Some metallic glasses (as Pd-based MGs) exhibit good
properties as biomedical materials: non-toxicity, good corrosion resistance, good toughness characteristics.
The invention described in [15] is aimed at Pd-based metallic glass alloys useful in biomedical applications having
no Ni or Cu. Pd-based metallic glasses generally have the
required modulus and toughness characteristics and are able
to form three-dimensional metallic glass objects of sufficient
thickness for biomedical applications. These metallic glasses
include at least one of Ni and Cu (and often both), likely
making them non-biocompatible and therefore not suitable
for use in biomedical applications. However, because Pdbased metallic glasses have desirable modulus and toughness
characteristics, the present invention is directed towards Pdbased metallic glasses free. The cytotoxicity of the newly
developed Pd-based glassy alloy was evaluated by an in vitro
biocompatibility study. Also, the cytotoxicity of Pd-based
glassy test article was evaluated through an in vivo biocompatibility study. The test article was implanted into the muscle tissue of a rabbit. The muscle tissue was evaluated for
evidence of irritation or toxicity. In vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity tests revealed that the newly developed Pd-based glassy
alloy is fully biocompatible.
US7998286 [16] describes MGs and, more particularly, a
subset of Zr-Ti-based MGs with improved corrosion resistance properties. BMGs are designed by carefully controlling
concentration of, or completely removing highly electronegative elements, such as Ni and Cu from Zr-Ti-based bulk
solidifying amorphous alloys thereby producing BMG materials with corrosion resistance properties that far exceed
those of current commercially available MGs and most conventional alloys. The elimination of these electronegative
materials also opens the possibility of new uses for MGs,
including in biological applications.
The invention described in US7887584 [17] provides an
artificial heart component, such as an artificial heart valve or
a pacemaker, wherein the artificial heart component includes
an amorphous metal alloy component. The artificial heart
valve may be a ball valve comprising an amorphous metal
alloy cage. Alternatively, the artificial heart valve can include leaves made of amorphous metal alloy. The pacemaker
containing the amorphous metal alloy may house an energy
source which is shielded from the body by the amorphous
metal alloy. This invention may be applied in: sutures, implantable surgical fabrics, stents, heart valves, implants for
reconstructive surgery, orthodontic and dental implants, all
of these comprising amorphous metal alloys.
In patent [18], the authors describe an implant having a
substantially solid basic structure and a porous jacket structure at least partially enclosing the basic structure for attachment of cellular tissue wherein the basic structure and
the jacket structure are connected integrally to each other and
the porous jacket structure is formed substantially by a structure with open pores. The disclosure also relates to a method
for manufacturing such an implant.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new amorphous alloy that opens the way for a new generation of

216 Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

Axinte and Chirileanu

biodegradable bone implants. The new metallic glass

(MgZnCa) synthesized by Zberg and his team, under the
leadership of Lffler, shows a fundamentally different behaviour from previous materials synthesized in the past, and
appears to eliminate the problem of hydrogen-forming gas
[19].
In Fig. (5), plasma of up to 3000C is produced between
a tungsten tip (centre) and a water-cooled copper plate.

Fig. (7). Surgical instruments made from Zr-based BMG (adapted

and reproduced with permission from [21] 2009 Elsevier).
Fig. (5). Arc melter for producing MGs for bone surgery (adapted
with permission from [19] 2009 NPG Credit: ETH Zurich/LMPT).

Porous prostheses have been gaining importance, in light

of their ability to guide cells and aid with tissue repair. Interconnected pore architectures with pore sizes in the range of
75-250m are thought to be optimal for tissue ingrowth. In
addition to eliciting cell attachment and tissue ingrowth, porosity functions to reduce the structural properties of monolithic bulk materials to values closer to those of natural bone.
Owing to their high strength combined with relatively low
moduli, amorphous metals can be thought as attractive base
materials for developing strong highly-elastic porous solids
capable of matching the mechanical properties of cancellous
bone [20]. A porous amorphous structure (88% porosity) is
shown in Fig. (6).

3.2. MGs in Catalyst Systems

Schroers and colleagues developed Pt57.5Cu14.7Ni5.3P22.5
bulk metallic glass (Pt-BMG) nanowires. The Pt-BMG
nanowires have high surface areas, thereby exposing more of
the catalyst, and also maintaining their activity longer than
traditional fuel cell catalyst systems. After 1,000 cycles,
these nanowires maintained 96% of their performance-2.4
times more than conventional Pt/C catalysts [22] (See Fig.
(8)).

Fig. (8). Pt-BMG nanowires for catalyst systems (adapted with

permission from [22]).

3.3. MGs in Defence and Aerospace Applications

Fig. (6). Amorphous porous Pd-Ni-Cu-P foam and micrographs of

the cellular structure at high magnifications (adapted with permission [20] 2010 Elsevier).

Zirconium-based BMGs are used in surgical instruments,

such as surgical razors or micro-surgery scissors. Razors
made using Zr BMG present much smoother edges than
stainless steel razors [21] (see Fig. (7)).

Depleted-uranium-based (DU) alloys have traditionally

been used in the production of solid metal, armour-piercing
projectiles known as kinetic energy penetrators (KEPs). The
combination of high density and high strength make depleted
uranium ideal for ballistics applications. Depleted-uraniumbased (DU) is particularly suitable for KEPs because its
complex crystal structure promotes shear banding when plastically deformed. When DU penetrators hit a target at very
high speeds, they deform in a "self-sharpening" behaviour.
Scientists at the US Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory are close to developing a new composite with an internal structure resembling fudge-ripple ice cream that is

Industrialization of Metallic Glasses

actually comprised of environmentally safe materials to do

the job even better [23].
The US Department of Defence (DoD) has extensively
researched Liquid metal Technologies for KEPs. Ballistic
tests conducted by the US Army have proven that some special tungsten-based metallic glass composites exhibit selfsharpening similar to the DU KEP, but are environmentally
benign. The main attributes (high strength and lightweight)
of liquid metal alloys enable the DoD to support its transformation toward lighter, smaller and more cost effective
systems (Fig. (9)) [24].

Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

217

The samples returned to Earth in a Stardust-like samplereturn capsule (SRC), entering Earths atmosphere in September 2004. The Genesis Preliminary Examination Team
was able to show that, because the solar-wind ions were buried beneath the surface of the collectors, it is possible to detect and quantify elements in the solar wind. When samples
are back on Earth, sophisticated acid etching techniques developed by the University of Zurich, Switzerland, were used
to etch the metal layer by layer, releasing the particles of gas
for laboratory study.
3.4. MGs for Solar Energy Conversion Systems
MGs can be relatively simple patterned in different forms
and various aspects [27, 28].
Figure 11 schematically shows how the patterned MG
surfaces can be used as anti-reflective coatings in solar energy converters (especially solar to thermal energy). A significant increase in efficiency is expected, given that less
solar light is reflected.

Fig. (9). BMG Kinetic Energy Penetrators produced by LiquidMetal Technologies (adapted from [24]).

NASAs Genesis Spacecraft used solar wind collectors

made of a new formula of bulk metallic glass (Fig. (10)) [1,
25, 26].
Fig. (11). Anti-reflective patterned MGs for solar light absorption
(adapted from [27, 28] Elsevier).

Some special MGs were recently used as the layer that

sits between each individual cell in solid oxide fuel cells
(SOFC).
3.5. MGs Obtained from Low Purity Industrial Materials

Fig. (10). BMG solar wind collector of NASAs Genesis Spacecraft

(adapted from [1] 2011 Elsevier, [25, 26] credit NASA).

A complex mixture of zirconium, niobium, copper,

nickel, and aluminium (a new BMG forming alloy) was designed by Hays in the Caltech Materials Science Laboratories.
The new BMG was prepared in a collaborative effort by
Hays and Wolter (Howmet Co., Greenwich, Conn). The surfaces of metallic glasses dissolve evenly, allowing the captured ions to be released in equal layers. Solar wind higher
energy ions penetrate into the metal surface of the collector.

Recently, in [29], the authors obtained tungsten-based

metallic glasses from low-purity industrial raw materials
through a melt-spinning method. The low-purity industrial
raw materials were used: ferrotungsten, ferroboron and cast
iron. A full metallic glass (W30Fe38B22C10) was produced.
Tungsten-based metallic glasses reported in previous papers
are made up of high purity tungsten ruthenium, rhenium,
iridium and boron. The high prices of pure ruthenium, rhenium and iridium elements limit the ability to use these in a
wide range of applications.
Figure 13 is presented a typical high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image and selected area
electron diffraction (SAED) pattern for the W30Fe38 B22C10
ribbon sample. Nanocrystals are not detected and a fully
amorphous structure was confirmed Fig. (12).

218 Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

Fig. (12). High resolution TEM image and selected area electronic
diffraction pattern (inset) of theW30Fe38B22C10 sample (adapted with
permission from [29] 2011 Elsevier).

The application of low-purity industrial raw materials not

only reduces the cost, but also improves the manufacturability of W-based metallic glasses with high crystallization
temperature, high modulus and high hardness.
3.6. MGs as Green Engineering Tools

Axinte and Chirileanu

Fig. (13). SEM image of spherical particles (adapted with permission from [30] 2011 Elsevier).

Recently developed metallic glasses based on Fe-Si-B-CP reportedly have good glass forming ability. Fe-Si-B metallic glasses are usually used as powder cores. The manufacturing process includes the disintegration of the ribbons and
mixing with polymers and finally, consolidation. In [31], the
authors produced Fe-Si-B-C-P amorphous powders through
water atomization.

Metallic glasses can be processed through powder metallurgy. This process is more flexible in controlling the size,
shape and microstructures of the components. MG powders
are usually obtained by using atomization methods and mechanical alloying. In atomization, high-purity raw materials
and Ar are used, in order to decrease impurity level and increase glass forming ability.

The morphology, chemical composition, phase structure

and soft magnetic properties have been studied and the results indicate that the powders are completely amorphous in
nature.

In [30], the authors prepared mono-dispersed spherical

particles of a desired diameter by using an atomization process that they developed. The particles have perfect sphericity
and narrow size distribution along with a homogeneous composition. The authors have successfully developed a unique
atomization process which is capable of producing monodispersed particles of various materials, using a method
called the pulsated orifice ejection method (POEM).

The water-atomized powders can be easily processed into

compacts due to their irregular shape. The soft magnetic
properties depend on the heat treatment temperature Fig.
(15).

The POEM is able to mass-produce mono-dispersed particles of the desired diameter in the range of several tens to
hundreds of micrometers. The results of structural and thermal analyses showed that the prepared particles exhibited a
homogeneous glassy phase. In addition, the microstructure
of the particles changed from a fully crystalline phase to a
fully glassy phase with a reduction in the size of the particle.
The largest particles with the diameter of 390m clearly
showed the crystalline peaks. However, the peaks gradually
became ambiguous as the particle size was reduced, and the
particle of 291m showed only the broad peaks. The result
implied that the volume of the glassy phase increased with
the reduction in particle size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of particles with a diameter of
300m are presented in Fig. (13).

The morphology of the powders can be modified by adjusting the water atomization parameters and spherical particles can be made Fig. (14).

Fig. (14). Microstructures of the atomized Fe-based metallic powders. (a) General view; (b) spherical particles ( adapted with permission from [31] 2011 Elsevier ).

Industrialization of Metallic Glasses

Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

219

4. CURRENT & FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

4.1. Current Developments

Fig. (15). Fe-based metallic powder rings (adapted with permission

from [31] 2011 Elsevier).

In [32], it is described how a Fe-based BMG powder

(with a little Ni, Cr, Mo, B and Si) is produced using water
atomization. The powder diameter extends in a wide range
from ~ 0.05 to 0.6mm because of the high glass-forming
ability for the developed Fe-based alloy.
BMG powder has the advantage of much longer endurance times compared with those for cast steel shot and highspeed steel shot. By use of good mechanical characteristics
in conjunction with high corrosion resistance and a smooth
outer surface, the peening shot treatment using BMG powder
can generate a higher level of residual compressive stress on
the surface of high class alloy steel vehicle gears with a high
Vickers hardness comparable with hardness achieved by a
carburization treatment. As a result, the alloy steel gears can
increase fatigue strength by 50-80% compared with the steel
gear subjected to peening shot using high-speed steel ball.
This causes a significant reduction in the weight of alloy
steel vehicle gear by ~45% [1, 31]. Another great advantage
of BMG powders is that they are 100% recyclable (see Fig.
(16))

A novel metal-to-metal or material-to-material joining

technique using bulk metallic glasses is provided in [33].
The method of the current invention relies on the superior
mechanical properties of bulk metallic glasses and softening
behaviour of metallic glasses in the undercooled liquid region of temperature-time process space, enabling joining of a
variety of materials at a lower temperature than typical
ranges used for soldering, brazing or welding. Two types of
joining are presented. In the first example, a thermoplastic
joining process is described. This "thermoplastic joining"
process is based on the unique rheological behaviour and
pattern-replication ability of Bulk Metallic Glass. In a second example joining method a deep undercoating process
may be used. This processing technique utilizes the deep
undercoating characteristic of metallic glasses to form a liquid joining material that can be used to create joints that can
be amorphous, crystalline or partially crystalline.
In patent [34], the authors present a family of iron-based,
bulk metallic glasses containing phosphorus, with excellent
processibility and toughness, methods for forming such alloys, and processes for manufacturing articles. The inventive
iron-based alloy is based on the observation that by very
tightly controlling the composition of the metalloid moiety
of the Fe-based phosphorous bulk metallic glass alloys, it is
possible to obtain highly processable alloys with low shear
toughness. The invented alloy demonstrates an optimum
toughness-glass forming ability relationship. It also demonstrates higher toughness for a given critical rod diameter than
any other prior art alloys. This optimum relationship, which
is unique to Fe-based systems, is a consequence of a low
shear modulus achieved by very tightly controlling the fractions of C and B in the compositions of the inventive alloys.
In [35], a new method is provided for obtaining a hermetic seal using an amorphous alloy or composite containing
an amorphous alloy where the manufacturing process takes
place at a temperature around the glass transition temperature or within the supercooled liquid region.
Reference [36] provides a new method for producing
wire by combining a metal strip and a powder. This invention includes a method of obtaining a hardened surface on a
substrate by processing a solid mass to form a powder. This
powder is applied to a surface to form a layer containing
metallic glass and converting the glass into a material with a
nanocrystalline microstructure.
Recently, light-weight and low-cost Magnesium (Mg)based metallic glasses have been researched. New alloys
with surprising properties have been developed.
In [37], it is revealed how, through the addition of the Zn
element, Mg-Li-Cu-Zn-(Y, Gd) bulk metallic glasses with a
diameter of 2mm have been successfully manufactured using
the conventional copper mould injection casting method.

Fig. (16). BMG powder peening process (adapted with permission

from [1] and [32] 2011 Elsevier).

In [38], the authors demonstrate that by increasing Li

content (3 at.%-8 at.%), the supercooled liquid region temperature of Mg-based metallic glasses gradually decreases. It
was also shown that the addition of metal Li effectively in-

220 Recent Patents on Materials Science 2012, Vol. 5, No. 3

creases fracture strength and elastic strain and reduces their

corresponding densities.

Axinte and Chirileanu

[5]
[6]

4.2. Future Developments

MGs look like metals and have the most desirable properties of glasses: strength, harder than metals, corrosion resistance and many others.
The local structures of MGs are far from being completely elucidated. Structural models, such as Bernals
dense random packing and Gaskels short-range order
have been proposed in the past fifty years. The development
of new models that are more appropriate to describe the intimate structure of metallic glasses is a continuous challenge.
Also, the correct prediction about how atomic structure
influences the macroscopic properties of MGs is a great
challenge for all researchers in this domain.
To date, the environmental capabilities of MGs have
been poorly researched. Some aspects were mentioned in
this article, as follows: biocompatibility of most MGs, obtaining MGs from recyclable materials, using MGs in environmental applications (solar cells, hydrogen production,
system for retention and purification of dangerous pollutants,
nuclear industry, etc.), using MGs as replacement material
for the defence industry. Thus, the groundwork is being laid
for establishing Metallic Glasses as the environmentally
friendly materials of the future.
Nevertheless, more systematic study is required to further
document and establish the benefits and efficacies of using
metallic glasses for biomedical applications, in catalyst systems, solar energy conversion systems and as green engineering tools.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To Prof. Wei Hua Wang from the Institute of Physics
(Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Dr. Y.F. Xue from the
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, for their friendly advice and the information provided relating to their valuable scientific work on
metallic glasses.

[7]
[8]
[9]

[10]

[11]
[12]

[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]

[17]
[18]
[19]
[20]

[21]
[22]
[23]
[24]

To Elsevier Ltd. and Nature Publishing Group for the

copyright licenses and permissions provided by Copyright
Clearance Centre (CCC) www.rightslink.com.

[25]

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

[27]

The authors confirm that this article content has no conflicts of interest.

[28]

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