Sintering kinetics for a model final-stage microstructure: A study of AI2O3

Abstract
Model experiments have been conducted on a series of alumina samples in which the microstructures have been tailored to conform to the classical configurations depicted in the models of final-stage sintering. Simultaneous measurements of sintered density, grain size, pore number density and pore size distribution were made as a function of sintering time at constant temperature (18500C). The data conformed to a model of grain-boundary-diffusion-controlled densification. Atom flux equations for grain-boundary diffusion transport and lattice diffusion transport were deduced from the data. The number of pores per unit volume was identified as the most critical factor influencing densification kinetics.

This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit: