Explosive compaction of metallic glass powders

Rapidly quenched materials, produced as powders, flakes or thin strips, can be consolidated by making use of the high pressures of detonating explosives. The underlying process is that of a shock front proceeding at a velocity greater than the sonic velocity of the material, which compacts the material instantaneously. Heat generated at particle surfaces can lead to a welding between the individual particles. Owing to rapid cooling, the welded areas can be kept amorphous. Powders and chips made from amorphous filaments show a different behaviour in explosive compaction.