Amorphous alloy powder feedstock processing

Abstract

Described herein is a method of producing a feedstock comprising a BMG. A powder is compacted to for the feed-stock. The powder has elements of the BMG and the elements in the powder have a same weight percentage as in the BMG. Described herein is a method of producing a feedstock comprising a BMG. A powder is compacted into a sheath to for the feedstock. The powder and the sheath together have elements of the BMG and the elements in the powder have a same weight percentage as in the BMG.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of producing a feedstock comprising a bulk metallic glass (BMG), the method comprising compacting a powder, wherein the powder comprises elements of the BMG and the elements in the powder have substantially a same weight percentage as in the BMG. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder comprises the BMG in a powder form. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder comprises a composite of a plurality the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder comprises an alloy of a plurality the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder is compacted with a binder. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the binder is a material that evaporates at a melting temperature of the powder. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the binder is one of the elements of the BMG, a composite or alloy of a plurality of the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder is compacted into a sheath, wherein the sheath does not melt at a melting temperature of the powder. 
     
     
         9 . A method of producing a feedstock comprising a BMG, the method comprising compacting a powder into a sheath, wherein the sheath melts at a melting temperature of the powder, wherein the powder and the sheath together comprise the BMG, and the elements in the powder have substantially a same weight percentage as in the BMG. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powder comprises the BMG in a powder form. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powder comprises a composite of a plurality the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powder comprises an alloy of a plurality the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powder is compacted with a binder. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the binder is a material that evaporates at a melting temperature of the powder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the binder is one of the elements of the BMG, a composite or alloy of a plurality of the elements of the BMG. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the powder is compacted by hot press, cold press, extrusion or rapid discharge sintering. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the powder is compacted by hot press, cold press, extrusion or rapid discharge sintering. 
     
     
         18 . A method of making a part from a feedstock comprising BMG, the method comprising determining a weight and a composition of a powder based on a weight and the desired composition of the part such that a weight of each chemical element in the desired composition of the part is essentially equal to a weight of that chemical element in the powder, and compacting the powder to form the feedstock. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a part from a feedstock comprising BMG, the method comprising determining a weight and a composition of a powder based on a weight and the desired composition of the part and a weight and a composition of a sheath, such that a weight of each chemical element in the desired composition of the part is essentially equal to a total weight of that chemical element in the powder and in the sheath, and compacting the powder into the sheath to form the feedstock.