Effect of preparation technique and atmosphere on the mechanical properties of bulk amorphous alloy compacts

Abstract

Amorphous alloys compact of Fe 78 B 13 Si 9 prepared in air by three different consolidation techniques, i.e. explosive consolidation, high hydrostatic pressure consolidation and warm extrusion, were deformed in compression at various temperatures. The compressive strength of explosively consolidated compacts was 1.9–2.5 GPa and was higher than that of the compacts prepared by high hydrostatic pressure consolidation. Explosively consolidated compacts deformed plastically to more than 50% strain, preserving the amorphous structure. The compacts prepared by warm extrusion had anisotropy in strength. These mechanical properties of amorphous alloy compacts depended on the consolidation technique and oxide films on the interparticle boundaries. In the next series of experiments, all the processes for preparing amorphous alloy compacts, from powdering to consolidation, were carried out in an argon atmosphere. This new process suppressed oxidation of interparticle boundaries in the compacts and increased the strength of the compacts.