Mechanical properties of a CrMnNi steel/Mg-PSZ-FGM processed by asymmetric Spark Plasma Sintering

摘要

This paper presents a method for sintering a crack-free Functionally Graded Material (FGM) with varying contents of a TRIP steel (TRansformation Induced Plasticity) and Mg-PSZ (MgO Partially Stabilized Zirconia) by means of Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). In order to densify the ceramic-rich areas of the FGM without melting the steel phase, several tool setups were tested, as they influence the temperature distribution in the samples during SPS. Due to the varying electrical conductivity of the FGM, the electrically conductive areas of the sample experienced a higher temperature than the electrically non-conductive areas. For the first time, it could be shown that the resulting temperature gradient could be counteracted by placing additional layers of graphite foil belowthe Mg-PSZ-rich layer of the CrMnNi steel/ Mg-PSZ-FGM. The layers of graphite foil acted as heating elements. Thus, densification of theMg-PSZ was enhanced withoutmelting the steel phase or initiating thermal cracks. The effects of the different tool setups on the materials' microstructures and bending properties were investigated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.