Metallic compounds and metallic matrix composites made using compression activated synthesis

A method of manufacturing an article, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a first particulate comprising a first reactant;
• (i) wherein the first reactant comprises a first metal;
• (ii) wherein the first metal is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti, and combinations thereof;
• (iii) wherein the first reactant is metallic or is a metal compound;
• (b) providing a second particulate comprising a second reactant;
• (i) wherein the second reactant comprises a second metal;
• (ii) wherein the second metal is different than the first metal;
• (iii) wherein the second metal is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Al, Fe, Mg, Ni, Ti, and combinations thereof;
• (iv) wherein the second reactant is metallic or is a metal compound;
• (c) blending the first and second particulates to form a particulate blend;
• (d) preforming the particulate blend to form a preform article;
• (e) heating the preform article to a pre-heat temperature, wherein the pre-heat temperature is below an auto-activation temperature and above a minimum compression activated synthesis temperature;
• and
• (f) while maintaining the preform article at the pre-heat temperature, commencing exerting compressive stress on the preform article to:
• (i) initiate a self-propagating high-temperature synthesis reaction between the first and second reactants by the compressive stress and thereby form a product metallic compound, and
• (ii) at approximately peak temperature, exceed a flow stress of the product metallic compound to reduce porosity of the product metallic compound and thereby form the article;
• wherein the article comprises a porosity of less than 1.9%.