WOT at the 26th FAST/SPS Expert Circle in Darmstadt
On 11 November, employees from WOT and PVW attended the 26th FAST/SPS expert group to discuss current research topics in connection with the innovative field-assisted sintering process (FAST/SPS). In this process, powdery starting materials are processed into dense or porous materials by means of resistance heating under pressure in a sintering mould. The meeting was hosted by the Materials & Resources Group of Prof Anke Weidenkaff, Institute of Materials Science at TU Darmstadt. In addition to the hosts' current research topics, work from the Pozna? Institute of Technology and the Fraunhofer IFAM, Dresden, were also presented. Dr Fritsch Sondermaschinen GmbH was represented from industry with a presentation of process engineering innovations. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Martin Bram (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH), who took over the chairmanship of the expert group from Prof. Oliver Guillon (Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH).
Topics discussed by the expert group included the texturisation of magnetic materials during sintering, the homogeneous heating of the powder to be sintered through the targeted design of the sintering tool, a contribution to the design of nuclear fusion reactor inner walls with the help of FAST/SPS, as well as the monitoring of electrical resistance for a better understanding of the process and, if necessary, process control during sintering. The scientific and economic interest in FAST/SPS is so high because, as a sintering process, it is characterised by very short process times. However, FAST/SPS is also discontinuous and energy-intensive. For this reason, there are still hurdles and requirements for further development in terms of mass production, automation and sustainability.
FAST/SPS processes are currently being used for materials with special requirements in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties when conventional processes such as classic melting or powder metallurgy reach their limits. For example, the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering IWW at Chemnitz University of Technology is conducting research into nano- and highly ceramic particle-reinforced aluminium matrix composites, which can only be produced in the required qualities and maximum particle contents using FAST/SPS. However, FAST/SPS can also be used to recover materials directly from metallic chips or for the targeted production of functional graded composites. These topics, which are also being researched at the IWW, are also the main topic of the upcoming 27th FAST/SPS expert group, which will take place in Chemnitz on 1 April 2026 at the invitation of the WOT and PVW professorships.
We would like to thank the organisers of the 26th Expert Circle once again for a very enjoyable and interesting event and are delighted to be part of the lively and open FAST/SPS community.
Image: IWW participants at the 26th FAST PLC expert group in Darmstadt (Photos: WOT/PVW)
3.12.2025 – Events of the professorship ( sarah-johanna.hirsch@mb… )
