Injection device and method for producing at least one metallic glass part

An injection method for producing at least one metallic glass part, comprising the steps of:

• preparing an injection mold comprising an injection chamber with an injection opening through a lower surface of the mold and at least one cavity corresponding to the part in communication with the injection chamber;
• placing a charge volume of a solid metallic element capable of forming a metallic glass on a top surface of a vertical injection piston, the top surface comprising a recess configured for receiving a minor portion of the charge volume with a major portion of the charge volume extending above the uppermost portion of the top surface;
• heating the charge volume of said metallic element by passing the charge volume through an induction heater, the induction heater comprising an induction coil arranged to be directly coaxial to the piston, such that, when the piston is in an intermediate position, the majority of the metallic element is in an open space and surrounded solely by the induction coils;
• continuing the heating step until the metallic element is in fusion and assumes a shape of an oblate spheroid retained by the recess;
• displacing the piston upwards to transfer the metallic element in fusion into the injection chamber to reach an injection pressure inside the injection chamber of the mold and inject a volume of the molten metallic material into the at least one cavity of the mold linked to the injection chamber;
• and
• cooling the first volume of the metallic material to obtain an amorphous solid within the at least one cavity.

An injection device for producing at least one metallic glass part, comprising:

• a mold having at least one cavity and an injection chamber in connection with the at least one cavity, wherein the injection chamber has a lower injection opening extending through a lower surface of the mold and a sidewall surface extending upwardly from the injection opening;
• a vertical injection piston coaxial with the injection chamber, the piston being arranged for vertical movement between a lower load position and an upper injection position;
• the piston having an upper surface for retaining a charge volume of a metallic material wherein when the piston is moved upwardly into the injection position, the metallic material is forced into an upper region of the injection chamber, thereby causing a first portion of the metallic material to be injected into the least one cavity;
• wherein the upper surface of the piston comprises a recess for receiving and retaining a minor portion of the charge volume of the metallic material whereby a major portion of the charge volume of the metallic material extends above an uppermost portion of the upper surface of the piston;
• and
• a heating element situated under the mold and coaxial with the piston, whereby, when the piston moves upwardly from an initial load position to an injection position, the charge volume of the metallic material will pass through the heating element without the major portion of the metallic material being separated from the heating element by any wall, before entering the injection chamber.