Influence of spark plasma sintering on microstructure and properties of bulk LaCaSrMnO magnetocaloric materials

Polycrystalline La_{0.67}Ca_{0.33-x}Sr_xMnO₃ (x=0.33, 0.03, 0) (LCSM) perovskite samples treated by spark plasma sintering technique were investigated. This study proved influence of the sintering temperature on microstructure of these perovskite ceramics. The thermogravimetric measurements revealed the possibility of increase of oxygen content in studied LCSM samples by additional annealing under oxygen atmosphere and low temperature. Finally, the effect of this annealing on magnetic properties was demonstrated.