Spark plasma extrusion (SPE) of ball-milled aluminum and carbon nanotube reinforced aluminum composite powders

Ball-milled aluminum (Al) and Al–carbon nanotube (CNT) composite (2.5 wt.% CNT loading) powders have been consolidated using a spark plasma extrusion (SPE) process. Compared with spark plasma sintering (SPS), SPE has the added advantages of allowing the production of powder-based materials of extended geometries and bulk deformation under the influence of electric current which may yield materials with unique properties. The process is discussed in this short communication together with resulting microstructures and properties for the investigated materials.