Grain growth inhibition in refractory metal alloys by a combination of Field Assisted Sintering (FAST) and nanoparticle addition

摘要

Our research group is actively engaged in the development of new materials and the demonstration of near net-shaped component production via the powder metallurgical method of Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST). FAST, commonly also referred to as spark plasma sintering (SPS) or pulsed electric current sintering (PECS), is a promising technique for production of these alloys. The benefits of FAST over traditional sintering techniques are enormous. FAST has exhibited significant improvement in the performance of materials for a wide range of applications including thermoelectric materials, light weight structural materials, thermal management components, and high temperature refractory materials. Challenges have been particularly observed in the production of high temperature refractory materials through sintering, due to poor sinterability of these alloys due to their high melting points. We have shown that these challenges can be addressed by using FAST. This feature article focuses on the development of high temperature materials as summarized below.