Expolosive compaction of rare earth-transition metal alloys in a fluid medium

A method of making an alloy body comprising one or more rare earth metals including at least one of Nd, Pr and Sm, one or more transition metals including at least one of Co and Fe and optionally B, said method comprising dispersing particles of said alloy having an average crystal grain size less than about 400 nM in a container, providing a bomb comprising a confined chamber having first and second chamber portions, positioning said container in sealing relation between said first and second chamber portions, evacuating said second chamber portion, locating an explosive charge and a fluid in said first chamber portion, exploding said charge to cause consolidation of said particles to substantially full density and flow of said consolidated particles into said second chamber and annealing said consolidated body as necessary to arrive at a crystal structure commensurate with creation of permanent magnetic properties therein.