To achieve a substantial increase of the mechanical and dynamic properties of the materials, new well designed materials systems need to be produced. This literature review serves the purpose of a base o knowledge for evaluation of which gradient and matrix materials are suitable to be produced by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS), mainly for ballistic applications. To highlight the advantages with SPS-technology, the literature review gives a short introduction to traditional sintering techniques with its pros and cons. A brief description of the SPS-technique explains why it is possible to sinter material systems that are not possible to produce by traditional sintering techniques. This gives a possibility to achieve synergistic results from the included materials, which would not be possible by conventional methods. Through the SPS-technique material with higher density and finer grain structure, due to the shorter sintering cycles, can be produced. Material systems specially suited for ballistic applications are gradient and matrix materials. Gradient materials may have a gradient within both composition and structure. This facilitates the joining of metals with ceramics, and can be used to optimise a product with increased properties compared to each of the included materials. Matrix materials are produced to enhance the mechanical properties of the matrix, i.e. increased fracture toughness with sustained strength. Within the field of ceramics nano composites plays an important role.