Achieving ultrahigh‐specific strength and enhanced GFA in Ti‐based bulk metallic glasses via a two‐step alloying strategy

Abstract Ti‐based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have attracted increasing attention due to their high specific strength. However, a fundamental conflict exists between the specific strength and glass‐forming ability (GFA) of Ti‐based BMGs, restricting their commercial applications significantly. In this study, this challenge was addressed by introducing a two‐step alloying strategy to mitigate the remarkable density increment effect associated with heavy alloying elements required for enhancing the GFA. Consequently, through two‐step alloying with Al and Fe in sequence, simultaneous enhancements in specific strength and GFA were achieved based on a Ti–Zr–Be ternary metallic glass, resulting in the development of a series of centimeter‐sized metallic glasses exhibiting ultrahigh‐specific strength. Notably, the newly developed (Ti 45 Zr 20 Be 31 Al 4 ) 94 Fe 6 alloy established a new record for the specific strength of Ti‐based BMGs. Along with a critical diameter ( D c ) of 10 mm, it offers the optimal scheme for balancing the specific strength and GFA of Ti‐based BMGs. The present results further brighten the application prospects of Ti‐based BMGs as lightweight materials.