Abstract Scope |
Graphite tooling is the material of choice for electric field assisted sintering (EFAS), also known as spark plasma sintering (SPS). Development of alternative tooling materials such as carbides, metal alloys, and composites are required as EFAS technology is scaled up to industrially relevant sizes where parts larger than 12” are desired and graphite tooling materials are expensive, difficult to source, and have sub-optimal properties. 3D printed carbon fiber reinforced carbon (C-C) die sets were created and used to fabricate 1-inch and 3-inch samples. Three materials were investigated: an electrically conductive metal (Cu), an electrically insulating ceramic (Al2O3), and a electrically conductive ceramic (TiN). Each material was sintered in standard graphite tooling, under typical processing conditions, and in C-C tooling by identical conditions. Comparisons were made between the two tooling types regarding energy consumption, system ram temperatures, sample sintered density, and sample microstructure. |