sanman wrote:
Here's something I just read about:


http://www.e4engineering.com/story.a...d-a7bd9b6a4258


So I'm wondering if this microwave heating of metals can be used for
making of glassy metals. Glassy metals are based on rapid cooling of
molten metal, causing the glassy molecular structure. From what I've
read so far, this has entailed formulating metal alloys with very low
melt points. But why can't a glassy metal be made with a very high
melt-point, by microwaving an alloy formulation to be molten at very
high temp, and quickly chilling it below a melt-point that would
itself also be quite high?

This microwave heating of metals sounds like an efficient and
controllable way to get metals to very high temperatures very
quickly.
It also seems like you could cut off that microwave heating very
quickly, to facilitate the quick-chilling necessary for glassy metal
formation.

Comments?

Read carefully, not the metal is heated directly, they create a
microwave plasma around the part to heat it. Such a system has no
benefits for rapid cooling, compaerd to an induction heater for
example. It is just a very uniform heat source without the insulation
needs of a conventiunal furnace.

if you want an amorphous alloy that works without crazy cooling rates,
read here :

http://mrsec.wisc.edu/edetc/IPSE/educators/amMetal.html

You will not be able to make it at home. Don't try to heat the stuff
outside of a vacuum or inert gas furnace or you will get a nice highly
toxic firework.