Influence of particle-size and pore-size distributions on sintering kinetics of powder material

Abstract

Article is devoted to the modeling and comparison of densification rates for the sintering of powder packings with mono-modal and bi-modal particle-size distributions. Modeling has been carried out in a two-dimensional approximation. Powder packings for numerical modeling have been obtained by ballistic method. Surface and grain-boundary diffusion were assumed to be the main mass-transfer mechanisms. This is valid for the sintering of fine ceramic powders. Results of the modeling demonstrate that sintering densification rate is sensitive to the particle-size and pore-size distribution in powder material. This means that in some cases, correct sintering modeling needs information not only about average porosity but also about initial particle-size and pore-size distributions.