Electrical Resistance Sintering of M.A. Al-5AlN Powders

Abstract

In this work, mechanically alloyed Al-5AlN powders have been sintered by the Electrical Resistance Sintering (E.R.S.) technique. A die of alumina-base refractory concrete has been employed. Several electric intensity currents and passage times through the compact have been tested during the consolidation process. Compacts have been mechanically characterized by their hardness distribution and by an indirect tensile test. The obtained results are compared with the corresponding values of compacts prepared with the same powders by the conventional route of cold pressing and furnace sintering. Finally, for all the electrically consolidated compacts, the final porosity, as well as the average hardness and the strength in the indirect tensile test are empirically related to the electric energy supplied during the process. This energy is a function of the electric intensity current and passage time. The aforementioned empirical relationships are useful to select the best process conditions.