New experimental methods for investigations of phase formation during SHS have been established. First experiments using penetrating synchrotron radiation and energy dispersive detectors for different classes of complex inorganic materials were carried out at ESRF (Grenoble, France) and Daresbury (UK). A new and very sensitive thermal imaging method (Thermal Imaging Technique (TIT)) based on continuous registration of the whole combustion process by using highly sensitive IR-camera and software developed by MIKRON Instruments Co. (USA) was used for precise registration of the combustion parameters. SHS was performed on different types of pure and doped complex inorganic materials in pellet and powder form in a range of dc magnetic fields up to 20 T and in electrical field strengths up to ±220 kV/m. The dc magnetic field was applied during the reaction, supplied either by a permanent magnet (transverse, up to 1.1 T) or by an electromagnet (longitudinal, up to 20 T). The dc electrical field was applied along the direction of the combustion wave front propagation. The combined processes of SHS and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) of 3D articles for different powdered compositions were optimized with laser irradiation power.

Electric potentials arise between the combustion wave front and final products during layer-by-layer surface laser sintering of exothermic powder compositions (Ni-Ti, Ni-Al, Ti-Al). By using an analog-digital-analog converter to control the laser movement and hence the exothermic reaction itself, we show that near optimal conditions can be obtained for the formation of layered 3D articles. Comparative results of the structural-phase transformations that occur during laser-controlled SHS in related reaction-capable compositions are also presented.

Rapid prototyping (RP) and manufacturing (M) is a novel layer-by-layer fabrication technique which has become increasingly popular due to its inherent flexibility for the manufacture of simple and complex 3D parts. Early we had been shown opportunity of selective laser sintering (SLS) of different type powder systems (intermetallics, ceramics, ferrites, high-temperature superconductors), traditional use for self-propagated high-temperature synthesis (SHS). The non-thermal heating affect of an external electromagnetic field during SHS is related to the specific system under study due to differences in movement of defects and ions at the 'plasma-like' molten combustion wave front. We have developed and refined the testing scheme for electro-thermal phenomena studies which can directly influence on the SHS combustion wave front. This work studies electromotive force (EMF) measurements across the front of combustion wave during layer by layer surface laser sintering of exothermal powder compositions (Ni-Ti, Ni-Al). Analysis using an analog-digital-analog computer converter allowed some control of the laser movement and hence some control of the exothermal reaction -in so doing it provided near optimum conditions for forming layered 3D articles. Comparative results of structural-phase transformation during laser control SHS in reaction-capable compositions are presented.