Spark plasma sintering of pure aluminium powder: mechanical properties and fracture analysis

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the spark plasma sintering technology when a pure coarse aluminium powder is used. In order to understand the process, different conditions of temperature, current flow through the sample, pressure and delay at which the pressure is applied were investigated to clarify the role of the pulsed electric current. It has been shown that the presence of the current flow and applying the sintering pressure with a certain delay in respect to the beginning of the cycle promote better sintering and mechanical properties. With a heating rate of 100 K min⁻¹, a sintering temperature of 525°C, dwell time of 1 min and pressure of 60 MPa, the mechanical properties and the fracture morphology are very similar to those of pure annealed wrought aluminium.

Keywords:

• ALUMINIUM POWDER
• SPARK PLASMA SINTERING
• MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
• DUCTILITY
• FRACTOGRAPHY