Fabrication of multi-lamina metallic-glass/aluminium composites by explosive compaction

Preliminary results are presented of an investigation into the fabrication by explosive compaction of metallic-glass/Al of significant reinforcement volume fractions. The materials employed were commercially available foils of a metal--metalloid glass of composition Fe sub 78 B sub 13 Si sub 9 and 99.9% Al. Specimens consisted of 13 interleaned foils, six of metallic glass and seven of Al. Test results indicate that metallic glass/Al metal matrix composites can be reproducibly fabricated by the multi-lamina explosive compaction technique with significant reinforcement volume fractions. By careful manipulation of the explosive welding parameters the composites produced show only minimal damage to the reinforcing phase and little reaction between the metallic glass and Al. The thermal excursions during compaction do not cause crystallization of the amorphous reinforcement; however, it does cause recovery of the Al matrix. 10 ref.--V.Z.