Pressurized liquid phase sintering of iron based metallic glassy powder with Al-Cu eutectic alloy

The compressive fracture strength of the obtained metallic glass composite was found to be as high as 1820 MPa and the fracture w)as observed to be intragranulartype, suggesting a good bonding in the particle-binding phase interface.,To consolidate [(Fe_0.5Co_0.5)_0.75Si_0.05B_0.2]₉₆Nb₄ metallic glass powder to full density, a pressurized liquid phase sintering was employed, which was intended to promote densification. Al-Cu eutectic alloy was chosen as a liquid phase component. However, the wettability of the glassy alloy with the AI-32.5wt%Cu alloy was revealed to be poor. Therefore, sintering pressure was applied to the compacts to promote a viscous flow deformation of glassy particles and also to enhance the intergranular permeation of the liquid phase. The liquid phase was found to fill completely the intergranular space of the powder compact, and the microstructure could be controlled by the punch displacement to squeeze out a part of the liquid phase from the compact.