Densification Behavior and Wear Response of Spark Plasma Sintered Iron-Based Bulk Amorphous Alloys†

In the present study, spark plasma sintering (SPS) process is used to sinter Fe-based bulk amorphous alloys from starting amorphous powder. The sintering was performed in supercooled liquid region (at 630 °C with uniaxial pressure of 70 MPa) where plastic flow of the amorphous powder results in better densification without crystallization. To study the crystallization behavior and its influence on mechanical behavior, the sintered discs were de-vitrified by annealing at 700 and 800 °C. Detailed characterization of phase development, microhardness at different loads, and wear behavior of the as-sintered and annealed alloys is presented.