Simulation of thermoelectric materials densification during spark plasma sintering with the example of Ge–Si

The densification of Ge–Si within spark plasma sintering has been simulated. The simulation was based on finite elements method and implemented in Comsol Multiphysics. The model of mechanical processes was based on the simulation results published earlier for metal and ceramic powder materials. The model included plastic and elastic deformation description, impact of porosity on electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. The pressure field in the sample has been calculated. The change of sample diameter due to the expansion and compression has been obtained for the soaking period.