MICROSTRUCTURAL FORMATION AND EVOLUTION OF COMPOSITES UNDER LIQUID-PHASE SINTERING

Abstract

The paper presents a brief review of published data on the fundamental principles relating to microstructural development of composites during liquid-phase sintering. Two mechanisms of microstructural coarsening in liquid-phase sintered systems are considered: solution–precipitation and coalescence. The data are systemized within the observations and measurements for coarsening kinetics under the Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner theory and direct coalescence. The review reflects the effect of various physicochemical parameters, such as temperature, volume fraction, and time (growth isotherms of solid particles), on microstructural development.