Influence of SPS parameters on the density and hardness of zinc selenide

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, zinc selenide powder was successfully sintered using spark plasma sintering. The effect of spark plasma sintering temperature and pressure on the densification, microstructure and hardness were investigated. Relative density, microstructure, hardness and crystallographic properties of specimens were evaluated by means of the Archimedes method, optical microscopy/scanning electron microscopy, micro-Vickers and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The results indicated that temperature and pressure were the most effective parameters affecting the process. The maximum relative density (99.3%) and hardness (163 kg mm−2) were obtained using conditions of 1100°C for 5 min under 70 MPa. The crystallographic orientation (twinning) observed by optical microscopy was confirmed by X-ray diffraction results.