Patent ID: 7560001
Filing Date: 2009-07-14
Classification: C22C

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a dense reinforcement-containing bulk solidifying amorphous alloy-matrix composite material comprising: providing a feedstock of a bulk solidifying amorphous alloy having the capability of retaining an amorphous state when cooled from above its melting temperature at a critical cooling rate of no more than about 500° C./s; dispersing and blending a plurality of pieces of a reinforcement material with the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy feedstock under vacuum to form a blended mixture of reinforcement material and bulk solidifying amorphous alloy feedstock having a packing density of at least 30% prior to densification; heating the mixture to a densification temperature above the melting temperature of the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy and below the melting temperature of the reinforcement material; densifying the mixture by applying a force to the mixture at the densification temperature for a specified densification time; cooling the densified mixture below the glass transition temperature of the bulk solidifying amorphous alloy to form a solidified composite material; reheating the solidified composite mixture to a forming temperature for a period of time less than the densification time, wherein said forming temperature is at least 50° C. higher than the densification temperature; forming the reheated composite mixture into a desired shape at the forming temperature; and quenching the reheated mixture to an ambient temperature to form an amorphous alloy-matrix composite material.