Spark Plasma Sintering

Kagaku SUGA SPS2000-7T From California Nanotechnologies

Description:
Use DC current and pressure to create dense compacts from powdered alloys

Features:

0.2kN-70kN pressure
3000A maximum applied current
2500C maxumum working temperature
Pulsed or unpulsed DC current
Low vacuum chamber with inert process gas

UC Rate: $48/hr

External (Non-UC) Rate: $62/hr

Summary of Equipment

*SPS visual with cross-section of graphite die (from California Nanotechnologies)*

SPS is a sintering method where a powder sample is pressed while heated by current. Current will flow through the graphite die, and the sample itself if it is conductive. Bulk products may be achieved that are fully dense, and with much shorter processing time compared to conventional methods. The shorter sintering period prevents coarsening of grains, making this method advantageous for producing various metallic and ceramic materials that are useful in electronics, medicine, structural engineering, and more.

SPS Research

Crystalline phosphates for HLW immobilization

In this example, the group analyzes a number of publications to discuss methods of nuclear waste treatment that process radioactive material into ceramic compounds which are stable over millions of years. The researchers suggest that sintering methods will replace vitrification of nuclear waste, and that SPS in particular will be an important waste-treatment process with regards to environmental safety. This is due to the ability to control porosity, grain size, and cooling parameters to a greater extent than conventional methods, all of which will be crucial to long-term stability of radioactive products.

Nuclear waste immobilization principle, HLW (high-level waste) may be sintered form of fissile elements

A.I. Orlova, Crystalline phosphates for HLW immobilization – composition, structure, properties and production of ceramics. Spark Plasma Sintering as a promising sintering technology,
Journal of Nuclear Materials, Volume 559, 2022, 153407

Effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on structure and performance characteristics of Cu-20wt%W composite

” In this study, Cu-20 wt%W composite was successfully obtained via SPS sintering technology using nano-scale composite powders prepared through spray drying technique. The impact of spark plasma sinter temperature on structure and performance characteristics of Cu-20 wt%W composite was investigated. And the sintering mechanism was discussed. “

Fig. 2. TEM analysis results of the structure of the Cu-20 wt%W composite powders: (a) Morphology of particles; (b) High magnification TEM image of (a); (c) FFT and IFFT images of core-shell structure.

Xiuqing Li et al. Effect of spark plasma sintering temperature on structure and performance characteristics of Cu-20wt%W composite, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 912, 2022, 165246

Study of the elastic properties and thermal shock behavior of
Al–SiC-graphite hybrid composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering

In this study, the researchers systemically studied the mechanical properties of Al-SiC with 20-50% vol SiC. For this group, the selection of the SPS technique was vital not only for efficient production, but also to prevent grain growth of the samples and yield materials with ideal mechanical properties such as hardness, thermal shock response, and elastic constant.

Fig. 1. Relative density, Vickers hardness, and C₁₁ of different MMC samples as function composition, in the as-received condition.

P. Jana et al. Study of the elastic properties and thermal shock behavior of Al–SiC-graphite hybrid composites fabricated by spark plasma sintering, Ceramics International, Volume 48, Issue 4, 2022, Pages 5386-5396