The decrease of the distance between particle centers due to the growth of the sinter necks can be explained by the well known two-particle model. Unfortunately this model fails to provide a comprehensive description of the processes for 3D specimens. Furthermore, there is a significant discrepancy between the calculated and the measured shrinkage because particle rearrangements are not considered. Only the recently developed analysis of the particle movements inside of 3D specimens using micro focus computed tomography (μCT), combined with photogrammetric image analysis, can deliver the necessary experimental data to improve existing sintering theories. In this work, μCT analysis was applied to spherical copper powders. Based on photogrammetric image analysis, it is possible to determine the positions of all particle centers for tracking the particles over the entire sintering process and to follow the formation and breaking of the particle bonds. In this paper, we present an in-depth analysis of the obtaine data. In the future, high resolution synchrotron radiation tomography will be utilized to obtain in-situ data and images of higher resolution.

Ultra-fine grained and dispersion-strengthened titanium materials (Ti-Si, Ti-C, Ti-Si-C) have been produced by high energy ball milling and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Silicon or/and carbon were milled together with the titanium powder to form nanometer-sized and homogeneously distributed titanium silicides or/and carbides as dispersoids, that should prevent grain coarsening during the SPS compaction and contribute to strengthening of the material. The microstructures and the mechanical properties showed that strength, hardness and wear resistance of the sintered materials have been significantly improved by the mechanisms of grain refinement and dispersion strengthening. The use of an organic fluid as carrier of the dispersoid forming elements caused a significant increase in ductility.

As in other areas of materials technology, the tendency towards light weight constructions becomes more and more important also for powder metallurgy. The development is mainly driven by the automotive industry looking for mass reduction of vehicles as a major factor for fuel economy. Powder metallurgy has to offer a number of interesting areas including the development of sintered materials of light metals. PM aluminium alloys with improved properties are on the way to replace ferrous pars. For high temperature applications in the engine, titanium aluminide based materials offer a great potential, e.g. for exhaust valves. The PM route using elemental powders and reactions sintering is considered to be a cost effective way for net shape parts production. Furthermore it is expected that lower costs for titanium raw materials coming from metallurgical activities will offer new chances for sintered parts with titanium alloys. The field of cellular metals expands with the hollow sphere technique, that can provide materials of many metals and alloys with a great flexibility in structure modifications. These structures are expected to be used in improving the safety (crash absoption) and noise reduction in cars in the near future and offer great potential for many other applications.