Low-temperature spark plasma sintering of alumina by using SiC molding set

Abstract

Fully dense transparent alumina is obtained after spark plasma sintering at 1000°C by using the electrically conductive SiC molding set. Compared to the conventional graphite set, the new mold material lowered the sintering temperature by 150°C for full densification. The SiC set has a lower electrical conductivity than that of the graphite set, which resulted in higher electric field during heating. The enhanced densification is attributed to the high electric field. In this study, the effects of the electric field and the heating rate on the densification of alumina are examined with the SiC molding set, and compared to the results with the graphite set.

Transparent ultrafine Yb3+:Y2O3 laser ceramics fabricated by spark plasma sintering

“…For laser applications, uniformity of these properties across the material is necessary to avoid wavefront distortions in the passing laser beam. The use of low heating rates and highly thermally conductive molds, such as SiC may be effective strategy to achieve uniform temperature distributions inside the sample, which can allow homogeneous samples to be obtained . We believe that these measures may improve the optical transparency of ceramic bodies sintered by SPS and accordingly enhance their laser performance.…”

Mechanical Behavior of Transparent Spinel Fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering

“…In the last years, SPS has been shown to be a reliable alternative technique for manufacturing transparent polycrystalline ceramics at relatively low temperatures in shorter times [4]. The principle of SPS sintering is based on the application of an associated uniaxial pressure with a pulsed direct electric current.…”