Spark Plasma Sintering and Characterization of NiCoCrAlY-Ta Superalloy Powder

In the present study, the spark plasma sintering technique is used to densify commercial alloy NiCoCrAlY-Ta. Such powder was sintered at temperatures ranging between 900 and 1050 °C to yield various microstructures. Full compaction is achieved in a short time and the overall processing duration does not exceed 30 min. Microestructural and porosity evaluation was investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis. Two phases, β and γ, were identified in sintered microstructure by XR-diffraction. Micro Vickers tests were carried out on the sintered specimens, the resultant properties at room temperature are very promising whereas major hardness resistance was obtained at 1000 °C.