High density compacts

An improved process for forming compacts of powders of ceramics, cermets, and other high hardness materials which comprises applying explosive shock with the exothermic sintering, which is achieved by mixing the exothermic ingredients with the powders to be compacted.

An improved process for forming compacts of powders of ceramics, cermets and other high hardness materials, which comprises applying explosive shock with the exothermic sintering of such powders, said sintering being accomplished by providing at least one separate layer of the exothermic composition adjacent to the powder to be compacted.

The process for the reaction sintering of a plurality of powdered ingredients to form a compact of a composite, which process comprises applying explosive shock to said powders and heating with an exothermic composition.

Improved compacts of powders of ceramics, cermets and other high hardness materials characterized by enhanced hardness as a result of applying explosive shock to the powders with exothermic sintering of such powders.

An assembly for producing compacts of powders of ceramics, cermets and other high hardness materials, which comprises a powder receptacle, exothermic composition, and an explosive shock wave generator.