Twin roll sheet casting of bulk metallic glasses and composites in an inert environment

Abstract

Sheet casting of metallic glasses and twin roll sheet casting of bulk metallic glasses and composite in an inert environment. Samples may be heated by RF to a temperature in the semi-solid region. After semi-solid processing, the partial liquid then may be poured or injected to achieve the desired shape. Plates of metallic glasses and/or metallic glass matrix composites may be formed (for example, through diecasting) and serve as a pre-form for rolling. In this configuration, the plates may be lowered through a radio frequency coil into compressing wheels, directly next to or below the coil. As the plates pass through the coil they may heat to above the glass transition temperature. Next, they may be fed into the rolling wheel to thermoplasically form the plates into thinner sheets.

1 . A method for fabricating a sheet of metallic glass matrix composite, the method comprising:
 placing a rolling mill inside a vacuum chamber;   heating a bulk metallic glass matrix composite having a metallic glass matrix above a glass transition temperature of the metallic glass matrix into a semi-solid region;   rolling the bulk metallic glass matrix composite with the rolling mill inside the vacuum chamber; and   forming the sheet of the bulk metallic glass matrix composite.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising providing a motor outside the vacuum chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing an inert gas into the vacuum chamber.