With this new sintering method the tool and the component are directly heated by DC current pulses to render cycle times of a few minutes possible. Due to the processes that occur at the points of contact of the powder particles (Joule heating, generation of plasma, electro migration etc.), the use of DC current pulses for various materials leads to an additional increase of the sintering activity. Therefore, significantly lower temperatures as well as significantly lower mould pressure than used for conventional hot pressing and sintering are possible. Available pressing force: 12.5 to 4000 kN at max. 2400 °C, applicable for components of max. Ø 300 mm. This leads to new possibilities of producing materials with extraordinary attributes, for example:

• nanomaterial can be sintered without significant grain growth
• FGM (Functionally Graded Materials)
• sputter targets
• composite materials
• innovative cemented carbide materials
• semi-conductor materials for thermoelectric application
• aluminum or copper alloys and intermetallic materials
• high-performance ceramics