Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS)

Scientific in charge

Dr. M. Alicia Pilar Castro Lozano (Research professor)

Dr. Miguel Algueró Gimenez (Senior Researcher)

Technician

M. Inmaculada Martinez Sanz (Research Assitance)
 

Contact

• Telephone:   91334900 EXT063

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Location

Lab: 063

ICMM-CSIC, C/ Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049 Madrid, España

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SPS technique uses an electrical current to activate sintering processes. It combines the simultaneous application of pressure and electric current on the sample. Joule heating provides high heating rates, allowing dense ceramics to be obtained under uniform heating. The operation of a SPS unit consists of a uniaxial pressure device, in which the punches also serve as electrodes, an evacuated reaction chamber, a pulsed direct current (dc) generator and pressure-, position- and temperature regulating systems. In an SPS experiment, the powder is introduced in a die, which may be built up with various materials, such as graphite, WC, etc. The major interest in this process, is linked to the extreme rapidity of the thermal treatment. Thus, the consolidation time is greatly decreased from hours, in the case of the conventional sintering, to few minutes for the SPS process. Moreover, the sintering temperature can be diminished by a few hundred degrees compared to conventional sintering.

Measurements

Ceramic processing by SPS in graphite or WC dies.
SPS can work in a wide range of temperatures, from 400 to 1600 ºC, with variable pressures, from 20 to 120-140 Mpa, this allows to controlling the characteristics of the sintered materials: Ceramics with tailored grain size can be prepared.

Equipment

SPS DR. SINTER LAB. Jr. MODEL: sps-212Lx

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Allowed samples

Powdered samples must be supplied dry, without traces of organic solvents and they must be stable in the experimental range of temperatures and pressures. Their conductor or insulator behavior must be reported. For other service conditions it is necessary to contact the technician or responsible.
The minimum sample quantity accepted shall be according to the table below.

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