Towards Mass Production of Metal Matrix Composites by Hybrid-SPS Technology

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technology is well-known for allowing enhanced and high-performance materials to be elaborated by fine microstructure control. Nevertheless, process control (repeatability) and change in scale remain technological challenges and a check for the industrialisation of these materials at large-sized dimensions.In this study, we present the case of metal alloy sintering (TA6V, Inconel 718) combined with in-situ reinforcement (TiC) to achieve densification of Metal Matrix Composites (MMC). First, we evaluate the impact of post-treatment (mill), next, the influence of reinforcement material addition and finally the adjustment of process control (external heating, cooling rate, …).The innovative aspect of this article lies in the validation of the material on a small scale and its scale-up to the final product size and the results confirm the relevance of controlling these parameters for sintering dense, homogenous and large-sized composites as a flow production.