Spark plasma sintering of aluminium composites—a review

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 However, for the fact that global cost of energy has risen tremendously, the conventional sintering has been replaced by much cheaper, unconventional sintering known as spark plasma sintering (SPS).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.