Spark Plasma Sintering Technology and Its Application in Preparing Ceramics

The development of spark plasma sintering (SPS) is reviewed. The configuration of the SPS system is introduced. The principles and features of the SPS process are deeply discussed, and some applications of the SPS process, particularly in the high-density fine-grain ceramics are described. Moreover, the spark plasma sintering process of β-Si3N4 powder prepared by SHS is investigated. Compared with those by hot pressing, the mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics prepared by SPS are better. The results show that the spark plasma sintering technology has the great advantage of fast densification of ceramics. Moreover, it is a new technology that has the important application value and extensive foreground.