Temperature fields control in the process of spark plasma sintering of thermoelectrics

Abstract

The process of creating thermoelectrics by spark plasma sintering of nanostructured powders in order to obtain materials with improved thermoelectric properties has been modeled. The factors that influence the distribution of thermal field in the sintering process have been analyzed. The influence of geometric parameters of tooling on the formation of temperature gradient field required for effective sintering of functionally gradient materials and segmented branches of thermo-elements has been considered. The results can be used to determine the conditions and modes of sintering of functionally gradient materials in installations of spark plasma sintering and hot pressing.