Abstract

In the present study, Zr-base metallic glass (MG) and Zr-base BMG/diamond composites were fabricated using a combination of gas atomization and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure, thermal stability and mechanical property of both the specimens as atomized and sintered were investigated. The experimental results showed that the SPSed specimens could be densified into nearly 100% and maintained the initial thermal stability at the sintering temperature of 630K. In addition, MG/diamond powder composites were successfully synthesised using SPS process. The composites, even a very low diamond volume fraction, generated a significant increase in compressive strength. With increasing the diamond volume fraction, the compressive strength was also increased due to the addition of hardest diamonds. It suggests that these composites would be potential candidates for a new cutting tool material.

• Keywords: Metallic glass;Spark plasma sintering;Composite;Diamond;Compressive strength;