Abstract
Recent research work has been undertaken to investigate the feasibility of forming micro-components by combining Electrical-field activated sintering and microforming (Micro-FAST). This paper firstly introduces the Micro-Fast technology and experimental validation method employed. Cylindrical components were used for the experiments and the sintering and forming was realised by use of a Gleeble 3800 thermal mechanical simulator. Thirteen different types of powders (metallic and ceramic) with variable particle sizes have been formed successfully. The influential parameters, such as pressure, temperature and heating rate, were studied. From the experiment results it is shown that the component quality depends significantly on the pressure, the heating rate and maximum temperature applied. Compared to other sintering technologies, the relatively short forming-cycle time of Micro-Fast (increased heating rate and reduced holding time) makes a good contribution to highly efficient particulate sintering for micro-manufacturing.
Highlights
At the present time, the large demands on the micro- or miniature-components have boosted the development of non-traditional manufacturing technologies with improved productivity and economic effectiveness [1]
Numerous papers have been published on fundamental research into process principles; whilst on the other hand, efforts have been made on apparatus development for industrial-scale production
The temperature and pressure were maintained for a given period of time, in order to consolidate the powder to a high density solid part
Summary
The large demands on the micro- or miniature-components have boosted the development of non-traditional manufacturing technologies with improved productivity and economic effectiveness [1]. Among these technologies, Electric Current Activated/Assisted Sintering (ECAS) has drawn ever growing attention for the sintering of particulate materials [2]. Numerous papers have been published on fundamental research into process principles; whilst on the other hand, efforts have been made on apparatus development for industrial-scale production Various technologies, such as, Pulsed Electric Current Sintering (PECS), Plasma Assisted Sintering (PAS), and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), have been invented and patented. Encouraging findings have been made using Micro-FAST with metallic materials [5, 6]; the feasibility of forming ceramic materials still needs to be investigated further
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