Project data

Description

Field assisted sintering (FAST) is an emerging technology for the fabrication of metals, ceramics and their composites starting from powders. It has the potential of densifying powders with nanosize or nanostructure while avoiding coarsening that accompanies standard densification routes. A major aim of this project was to increase the accessibility of this technology in Europe by creating a European provider of equipment. Flexible equipment was designed and built allowing several modes of operation that till now cannot be found in any other single installation. Another goal was to evaluate the application of FAST in the development of nanostructured materials and composites, specifically very high hardness materials and lightweight wear resistant materials for transport applications. The processing of functionally graded materials was also part of the work program.