Pure molybdenum compacts having a high density, purity and a fine-grained microstructure were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering process. Also, an optimized sintering condition was obtained by controlling process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and heating rate. Molybdenum compacts were prepared with diameters of¯150 © 6.35 mm, and the characteristics of the compacts were analyzed by induction couple plasma (ICP), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). In addition, molybdenum thin films that were fabricated on a glass substrate by using sputtering equipment were analyzed by XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). A relative density of up to 99% and the grain size of below 8 µm were reached at the sintering temperature of 1473.15 K and the uniaxial pressure of 60 MPa. Also, molybdenum compacts having a uniform relative density and grain size were fabricated through an optimully redesigned mold and process control method. The resistivity (³0.15 ®³m) of the optimized spark plasma sintering (SPS) molybdenum thin film showed properties that are similar to those of the film prepared with conventional sintering.

Using the spark plasma sintering process (SPS process), the WC-6wt.%Co hard materials were densified using an ultra fine WC-Co powder. The WC-Co was almost completely dense with a relative density of up to 100% after the simultaneous application of a pressure of 60 MPa and the DC pulse current for 3 min without any significant change in the grain size. The average grain size of WC that was produced through this experiment was about 0.2~0.8 µm. The hardness and fracture toughness were about 1816 kg/mm 2 and 15.1 MPa·m 1/2 , respectively, for 60 MPa at 1200℃.

Using the pulsed current activated sintering method, the WC-10wt.% Co materials were densified using a WC and Co powder. The WC-Co almost completely dense with a relative density of up to 99.5 % after the simultaneous application of a pressure of 60 MPa and an electric current for 3 minutes almost without any significant change in the grain size. The average grain size of about 0.3 ㎛. The hardness and fracture toughness at 1000℃were about 2200 kg/mm 2 and 9.8 MPa.m 1/2 , respectively.