Fundamentals and Applications of Field Assisted Sintering Techniques (FAST)

Nowadays FAST (Field Sintering Assisted Technologies) represent a real alternative for powder consolidation, complementing some of the lacks shown by conventional PM processes such as processing time and limited flexibility; and giving additional benefits to the final product (nano structured materials and meso-stable structures). In this article, a review of the most used FAST processes is reported from the fundaments and applications viewpoint. First, a brief review of the different FAST and ECAS (Electrical Current Assisted Sintering) processes is carried out and latter some outstanding applications in the metals and alloys fields are given, with the latest updates in the development sin this filed.