The high-temperature shock consolidation technique using converging underwa
ter shock wave assembly has been developed and the experimental conditions
in obtaining well-consolidated bulk materials are discussed. A series of ex
periments are conducted for various difficult-to-consolidate powders by cha
nging the temperature up to 1100 degrees C and the shock pressure up to abo
ut 50 GPa. Amount of cracks normally generated under room-temperature exper
iments could be decreased by using the high-temperature technique proposed
here. The result is brought by the following reasons; (1) decreased shock p
ressure, (2) increased ductility and (3) enhanced surface melting of the po
wders. The pressure required for the consolidation is strongly related to t
he hardness of the used powders. The application of high temperature could
decrease the hardness, and subsequently decrease the pressure required for
the consolidation. Optimization of the conditions necessary for the consoli
dation and bonding are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights
reserved.