**6. References**


**8** 

**Effect of Magnetic Pulsed Compaction (MPC)** 

Sintering is one of the most frequently used processing techniques in the studies of material science that is used to produce density-controlled materials and components from metal or/and ceramic powders by applying thermal energy. Hence, sintering is categorized in the synthesis or processing element among the basic elements of materials science and engineering. As material synthesis and processing have become immensely vital in recent years for materials development, the importance of sintering is increasing as a material processing technology. Sintering is, in fact, one of the oldest technologies, originating in the prehistoric era with the firing of pottery. The production of tools from sponge iron was also made possible by sintering. Nevertheless, it was only after the 1940s that sintering was studied fundamentally and scientifically. Since then, remarkable developments in sintering science have been made. One of the most important and beneficial uses of sintering in the modern era is the fabrication of sintered parts of all kinds, including powder-metallurgical

Sintering mostly aims to produce sintered parts with reproductive and, if possible, designed microstructure through control of sintering variables (Chiang et al., 1996; Green et al., 1989). Microstructural control means the control of grain size, sintered density, and size and distribution of other phases including pores. In most cases, the final goal of microstructural

Now in order to improvise the conditions of sintering, a number of researches have been carried out throughout the world. By sintering conditions, we mean the parameters involved in the process, namely, sintering time, temperature, rate of temperature increase, pressure involved in the process, or even the microstructural behavior in greater sense. This chapter focuses on one of these recently developed techniques called Magnetic Pulse Compaction, which may be used as an additional process on materials, prior to sintering. In special cases, based on commercial requirements, this process can stand alone, without even

In addition to the detailed description of Magnetic Pulse Compaction, a number of material fields have also been tried to cover where this process can either be used, or has successful

**1. Introduction** 

parts and bulk ceramic components (German, 1996).

having the necessity of sintering.

control is to prepare a fully dense body with a fine grain structure.

**on Sintering Behavior of Materials**

Soon-Jik Hong1, Md. Raihanuzzaman Rumman1

and Chang Kyu Rhee2 *1Kongju National University,* 

*Republic of Korea* 

*2Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute* 

[5] C. F. Hu, Y. Sakka, H. Tanaka, T. Nishimura, and S. Grasso, "Low Temperature Thermal Expansion, High Temperature Electrical Conductivity, and Mechanical Properties of Nb4AlC3 Ceramic Synthesized by Spark Plasma Sintering," *J. Alloys Compd*., 487, 675-81 (2009).
