Densification and microstructures of PbTiO3 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

Microstructures of spark plasma sintered PbTiO3 ceramics were observed and analyzed to clarify the densification mechanisms of spark plasma sintering (SPS). The morphologies of necks formed in the gaps between the powder particles were observed by SEM and their compositions were characterized by EDS. The contributions of the electrical discharge, spark plasma and surface cleaning process on the neck formation and densification were discussed.