Amorphous metal alloys produced by rapid solidification are finding increasing applications in electrical and electronic applications. The limitation of the current techniques is the inability to produce bulk materials. This research involves a novel method--namely, electro-discharge compaction of rapidly solidified powders and the synthesis of high-temperature micro-composites. The method involves the use of an extremely short duration pulse (5-10 micro sceonds), high voltage (30 KV), and high current density (1kA/mm2) energy to the powder aggregate to rupture the oxide film on the particles for enhanced bonding and retain the unique amorphous structure of the rapidly solidified powder which otherwise would be degraded by long exposure to high temperatures, as in HIPing or vacuum hot pressing.
