Spark plasma extrusion (SPE): Prospects and potential

Despite the advantages of spark plasma sintering, it has so far been limited to the processing of simple shapes, due to its inherent geometric configuration. This paper discusses the prospects and potential of spark plasma “extrusion” as a process that can allow the production of extended geometries via electric-current processing. Results on the spark plasma extrusion and properties of aluminum are also discussed, showing the feasibility of this processing approach, which has major implications for the spark plasma sintering field.