Advanced materials obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering

This research paper provides an illustration of how to use the Spark Plasma Sintering technology (SPS) for powder materials in order to obtain lightweight ceramics (based on alumina) and describes physical principles ensuring efficiency of high heating rates for sintering high-temperature ceramics (pure silicon carbide). Optimization of SPS modes helps to produce Al2O3/ZrO2 ceramics with grain size of less than 400 nm, microhardness Hv=24 GPa, and crack resistance KIC=4.2 MPa m1/2., and ceramics of pure SiC with grain size less than 50 nm, microhardness Hv=21 GPa and crack resistance coefficient KIC=3.5 MPa m1/2.