Biomedical Ti–Zr–Mo–Cu medium‐entropy alloys with excellent mechanical and antibacterial properties by various quenching processes

Abstract The development of medium‐entropy alloys (MEAs) with superior mechanical properties and remarkable antibacterial performance has garnered significant attention in the field of metallic biomaterials. In this study, Ti–18Zr–8Mo–10Cu MEAs with varying properties, including mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, antibacterial performance, and cytocompatibility, were obtained through heat treatment at 900 °C for 1 h, followed by various cooling methods (water cooling, air cooling, and furnace cooling). An increasing cooling rate results in a decrease in the elastic modulus. The water‐cooling specimen exhibits optimal ductility over 40% and minimum elastic modulus of 60 GPa. Moreover, the reduction in alloy composition segregation after heat treatment enhances the anticorrosion properties, exhibiting a robust passivation capability of MEAs. All synthesized Ti–18Zr–8Mo–10Cu MEAs show favorable cytocompatibility and robust antibacterial rate approaching ~ 100% at 12 and 24 h. Generally, the water‐cooling specimen shows exceptional mechanical properties and outstanding antibacterial performance, holding considerable promise for future orthopedic applications. This study offers a viable approach to optimizing the comprehensive properties of copper‐bearing Ti MEAs for biomedical applications.