Ask AI: what is spark plasma sintering

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), also known as Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST), is a sintering technique that applies both heat and pressure to materials in order to consolidate them. This technique involves passing a pulsed direct current through a conductive die-containing powder mixture, causing a spark discharge or plasma to enhance the sintering process. The high heating rate due to electric discharge, precise temperature control, and short sintering duration make SPS an attractive method for various materials like ceramics, composites, and metals. It enables production of materials with high density and fine grain structure, often maintaining desirable properties of the starting materials, like nanostructure or phase composition. Due to these qualities, it's used in a variety of applications including automotive, aerospace, biomedical and more. However, please consult a materials specialist or engineer for specific advice on your project or application.