Introduction of an Emerging Compaction Technology - Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) Method and Systems

摘要

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), a pressure assisted pulsed electric current sintering method, has recently attracted attention. It provides excellent features for use in the creating of new materials such as Nano-phase materials, thermo-electric materials, composite materials, new wear-resistant materials and Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs). Utilizing advanced SPS systems for industrial use, Large-size metallic Sputtering target materials in diameter of 300～350mm were homogeniously sintered. And, the Φ100mm and Φ150mm ZrO_2(3Y)/stainless steel disk-shaped bulk FGMs were fabricated homogeneously, free of cracks, delaminations and distortions. A square-shaped large-size WC/Co cemented carbide hard-alloy FGM with 100mm (width) × 100mm (length) × 40～60mm (thickness) was also homogeneously consolidated in a shorter sintering time and finer grain size than by conventional sintering methods while maintaining high quality and repeatability by a fully automated SPS system. This paper briefly introduces the recent SPS technology and the development of FGMs on automatic production-type SPS systems.