Exploratory Research in Reactive Spark Plasma Extrusion

Spark plasma sintering has gained a considerable amount of attention over the past decade, due to its rapid sintering rates, and low temperature requirements, but has so far been usually limited to the production of simple geometries. The present paper examines the current-activated production of extended geometries through the process of spark plasma "extrusion". Of interest in the present study is exploratory research into the effect of electrical current activation on the reactive consolidation of powder systems to form intermetallic materials.