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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
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Processing of Bulk Nanocrystalline Metals at the US Army Research Laboratory
Published on: March 7, 2018
Microwave radiation processing of metallic glassy powders
D V Louzguine-Luzgin1, S Li, G Q Xie
1WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan. dml@wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp
Summary
This study explores the stability of copper-zirconium-aluminum and nickel-titanium-zirconium-tin glassy powders. Microwave heating efficiently processed these powders into bulk metallic glass samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Metallurgy
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- Metallic glasses possess low viscosity near their glass-transition temperature.
- This property enables the processing of glassy powders into bulk forms.
- Conventional heating methods have limitations in materials processing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability of Cu50Zr45Al5 and Ni59Ti16Zr20Sn5 glassy powders.
- To examine the formation of bulk metallic glass samples using microwave heating.
- To evaluate the advantages of microwave heating for metallic glass processing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing microwave heating (915 MHz) in a single mode cavity.
- Processing of Cu50Zr45Al5 and Ni59Ti16Zr20Sn5 glassy powders.
- Heating under alternating magnetic field maximum.
Main Results:
- The study demonstrates the successful formation of bulk metallic glass samples from glassy powders.
- Microwave heating proved effective for processing these materials.
- The stability of the investigated glassy powders was assessed.
Conclusions:
- Microwave heating is a viable and advantageous method for processing metallic glass powders.
- The technique offers energy savings, high heating rates, and process cleanness compared to conventional methods.
- This approach facilitates the creation of bulk metallic glass with potential applications in various fields.
