Ceramic Processing
Spark Plasma
Sintering (SPS)
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) works by the rapid heating of electrically conductive dies by pulsed DC electric currents in a vacuum or inert environment. It can achieve heating rates of up to 600°C /min up to 2,200°C. The rapid heating rate combined with high pressure (up to ~1GPa) opens up a new processing window and the possibility of producing new materials with microstructures and properties that cannot be achieved using conventional sintering techniques. The equipment can sinter to high density ceramic, metal or composite powders within a few minutes. This includes difficult systems to densify, including ultrahigh temperature and hardness carbides and borides, and refractory metal alloys. For example, nanopowders can be processed to produce high density nanoceramics with minimal grain growth. It can also be used to produce metastable ceramics and ceramic composites, materials that combine different phases that would not normally coexist. SPS is a high throughput technique, which makes it ideal for quickly exploring new materials and an energy efficient route for the mass production of materials.
Nanoforce not only provides high volume targets for industrial applications but also small volume niche targets for academic research.
Download SPS brochure for specialist targets
