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Spark plasma sintering of aluminium composites—a review

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Abstract

Monolithic aluminium alloy lacks adequate mechanical and tribological properties necessary for optimal functionality in the industry. As a consequence, industrialists and manufacturers have experienced its frequent failures in service. This has necessitated the switch to Al matrix composites which possess better mechanical and tribological characteristics. Sintering has been one of the best fabrication methods of Al composites. However, for the fact that global cost of energy has risen tremendously, the conventional sintering has been replaced by much cheaper, unconventional sintering known as spark plasma sintering (SPS). Its popularity stems from its low energy consumption, short sintering time, and superior properties of products. In this paper, the progress made in the consolidation of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) using spark plasma sintering, its prospects, and properties of their products were reviewed. Also, powder blending methods applied in SPS were considered.

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Acknowledgements

The authors hereby appreciates and acknowledge the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development, ACE-SPED, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa, for their support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Ujah Chika Oliver, Aigbodion Victor Sunday & Ezema Ike-Eze Ikechukwu Christain

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 534, Auckland Park, South Africa

    Aigbodion Victor Sunday

  3. Africa Centre of Excellence, ACE-SPED, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    Aigbodion Victor Sunday

  4. Department of Engineering Metallurgy, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Makhatha Mamookho Elizabeth

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  2. Aigbodion Victor Sunday
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Correspondence to Aigbodion Victor Sunday.

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Oliver, U.C., Sunday, A.V., Christain, E.IE.I. et al. Spark plasma sintering of aluminium composites—a review. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 112, 1819–1839 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-020-06480-7

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