SPS Temperature Influence on the Composition, Structure and Magnetic Properties of Hematite Ceramics
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), also known as pulsed electric current sintering (PECS) or field assisted sintering technology (FAST), belongs to a class of powder metallurgy methods. Investigations of the effect of thermal, electric and electromagnetic fields arising under the conditions of spark plasma sintering of ceramic materials on their final characteristics are of important fundamental scientific significance. In this regard, the work investigated the effect of the IPA temperature on the structure, composition and magnetic properties of hematite α-Fe2O3 of high purity 99.995%. Changes in the structure and composition of ceramic specimens under SPS conditions in the temperature range 800-1000°C are described by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray phase analysis. The magnetic properties are studied and the regularities of changes of the magnetization (Ms) and coercive force (Hc) under the influence of an external magnetic field for ceramic samples are determined depending on the temperature of the SPS. These results can be considered as initial study of the process of consolidation of materials with weak ferromagnetism under conditions of spark plasma sintering.