Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack that include the steps of providing a metal powder, and rapidly compressing the metal powder, such as with a combustion-driven compaction apparatus, in a lubricant-free and/or sub-atmospheric environment to form the interconnect. The interconnect may have sufficient strength and density such that the interconnect may be incorporated into a fuel cell stack without performing a separate sintering and/or an oxidation step following the compressing.