Cold sintering process for densification and sintering of powdered metals

Abstract

Embodiments can relate to an improved hydroflux, additive or electroless plating assisted densification cold sintering process to densify powdered metals at lower compaction pressures and lower temperatures (e.g., 520 MPa and 140° C.). The process can involve inducing dissolution precipitation mechanisms at powder interfaces by introducing a transport phase (formed by the introduction of water during the process to suppress melting temperatures) that is not an aqueous solution. Particle interfaces in the cold sinter fuse together by the presence of the additional transport phase, thereby reducing the temperatures and pressures needed for compaction. Some embodiments involve the use of elements to form a eutectic at the desired low temperature, thereby stabilizing certain crystal structure shapes of isometric crystal systems, inducing rapid densification, and facilitating pore smoothing. Embodiments of the process can be used to generate a green compact via sintering that exhibits improved green strength.