First Mathias Herrmann (Fraunhofer IKTS) gave an overview on the research activities on Field-Assisted Sintering Activities at IKTS. The presentation later focused on the importance of combining experiment and FEM simulation to better control the processing condition during FAST/SPS cycle.

The second lecture was presented by Diletta Giuntini (Eindhoven University of Technology), entitled “FAST-SPS for nano/micro-structured ceramic-based composites”. The presentation focused on unleashing the potential of the FAST/SPS technology in manufacturing materials with nanostructures by careful optimization of the process window.

The next lecture was given by Johannes Trapp (Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden). In his talk, he introduced how Finite Element Simulations can help to understand Spark Plasma Sintering. He has shown a combination of both macroscopic and microscopic models to gain insight on the temperature distribution and densification mechanism respectively during FAST/SPS processing. 

The second block of lectures was started by Igor Veremchuk (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Dresden), who presented Spark Plasma Sintering = Spark Plasma Synthesis. Mr. Veremchuk comprehensively discussed the solid state electrochemical reactions during FAST/SPS. The presentation showed the potential of synthesizing materials by diffusion controlled solid state reactions in FAST/SPS.   

In the following, Mathias von Spalden (Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme IKTS) spoke about Low temperature SPS of hardmetals with various binder systems, showing utilization of various binder systems to consolidate hardmetals by solid state sintering by FAST/SPS. His results conclude that the composition of the binder and the increase of pressure are crucial factors for the densification during low temperature SPS of hardmetals.

Robert Pippig’s (Technical University Chemnitz) talk dealt with the Influence of matrix powder size on the tensile strength of an AMC produced by FAST. He showed the densification behavior of the 35 vol% SiC and AlSi7Mg0.6 composites in FAST/SPS. Further he showed an optimization approach for mechanical properties of aluminum matrix composites without any changes of the sintering parameters but the starting composite powders.

Thereafter Anton Salomon (Technische Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut für Werkstoffwissenschaft) concluded the session giving a talk about Adapting SPS/FAST to the syntheses of selected spinels, showing the FAST/SPS process as a potential energy efficient technology to produce various spinels.

Prof. Olivier Guillon closed the virtual meeting discussing some topics of common interest, he announced the 10^th anniversary of the expert group meetings to be celebrated in 2022 as well as the upcoming 19^th meeting, planned for Dec 1st 2021 at Dr. Frisch Sondermaschinen GmbH in Fellbach. 

Dr.-Ing. Tarini Prasad Mishra and Magdalena Kohn

Information on all technical committees can be found on the DGM homepage.

If you are interested in actively participating in one of the committees, please write a short mail to fachgremiendgm.de.