On the Preparation of Advanced Materials via Pulsed Electric Current Sintering Procedures

Abstract

A general overview on the processing of a series of advanced engineering materials, synthesized via pulsed-electric-current-sintering related techniques, and the similarities in between those techniques are introduced in this work. This paper is focused on two major techniques; namely, the Spark Plasma Extrusion (SPE) and Current Assisted Infiltration Sintering (CAIS), which in turn are derived from the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique, all widely used by this research group. Not only the geometry but also the microstructure of thus prepared specimens might vary depending on the selected technique. The resulting specimens can be under the forms of discs (flat or thick coin-like), rivets (enlarged cylindrical bars)-like and/or disclosing interpenetrated periodic networks with regular or irregular (either coin or rivet/screw)-like specimens, respectively. As for the CAIS technique, either 3D printed ceramic frameworks or naturally synthesized porous substrates (such as bone-like structures), can be infiltrated with virtually any metal or alloy. Among the series of produced materials we can include, for example: biomaterials such as: Ti- and Mg-hydroxyapatite, pure hydroxyapatite HA, composites, e.g., Al5083-CNT´s, just to name a few. The expanding possibilities of SPS, SPE and CAIS techniques are briefly indicated here.