High strength magnesium-based amorphous alloy

A high strength magnesium-based alloy at least by volume of which is amorphous, said magnesium-based alloy having a composition represented by the general formula (II):

• Mg.sub.a X.sub.c M.sub.d (II)
• wherein:
• X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Sn and Zn;
• M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si and Ca;
• and a, c and d are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges:
• 40a .ltoreq.90, 4.ltoreq.c .ltoreq.35 and 2.ltoreq.d .ltoreq.25.

A high strength magnesium-based alloy at least 50% by volume of which is amorphous, said magnesium-based alloy having a composition represented by the general formula (III):

• Mg.sub.a X.sub.c Ln.sub.e (III)
• wherein:
• X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Sn and Zn;
• Ln is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Nd and Sm or a misch metal (Mm) of rare earth elements;
• and
• a, c and e are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges:
• 4.ltoreq. a .ltoreq.90, 4.ltoreq.c.ltoreq.35 and 4.ltoreq.e .ltoreq.25.

A high strength magnesium-based alloy at least by volume of which is amorphous, said magnesium-based alloy having a composition represented by the general formula (IV):

• Mg.sub.a X.sub.c M.sub.d Ln.sub.e (IV)
• wherein:
• X is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ni, Sn and Zn;
• M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Al, Si and Ca;
• Ln is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Ce, Nd and Sm or a misch metal (Mm) of rare earth elements;
• and
• a, c, d and e are atomic percentages falling within the following ranges:
• 40.ltoreq.a .ltoreq.90, 4.ltoreq.c .ltoreq.35, 2.ltoreq.d .ltoreq.25 and 4.ltoreq.e .ltoreq.25.