The pressure used for spark plasma sintering (SPS) can vary, but it is generally carried out under ultra-high pressure, up to 8 GPa (gigapascals). The application of pressure during SPS facilitates the new arrangement of grains, reduces diffusion during the sintering process, increases material density, and eliminates porosity, resulting in reduced temperature and sintering duration.
SPS is a relatively new technique that offers several advantages over conventional sintering methods. It takes only a few minutes to complete the sintering process compared to hours or even days required for conventional sintering. This high sintering rate is possible in SPS due to the high heating rates that can be easily attained through internal heating of the sample. The heating rates in SPS can exceed 300°C/min, allowing for rapid attainment of the desired temperature.
In SPS, simultaneous application of temperature and pressure leads to high densification, resulting in a dense compact at sintering temperatures lower by 200 to 250°C than in conventional sintering. SPS also allows for the sintering of nano-sized powders without considerable grain growth, making it suitable for preparing nano-structured ceramics or nano-composites with excellent mechanical properties.
The pressure for SPS is applied through uniaxial pressure and high-intensity, low-voltage, pulsed current. The pulsed direct current passes through the powder and generates a plasma discharge between the particles, causing rapid heating and sintering. The SPS process typically takes place in a vacuum or controlled atmosphere environment to prevent oxidation and ensure purity.
Overall, SPS offers a faster sintering rate, precise control over temperature and pressure, and the ability to fabricate materials with unique microstructures and properties. It is commonly used in materials science, nanotechnology, and engineering for the fabrication of ceramic, metallic, and composite materials.
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