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Sintering
is a process in which powder particles are joined together through diffusion
reaction. The driving force for the sintering reaction is the reduction
in surface energy that results from neck formation between the particles
and densification of the material. Solid state diffusion processes govern
the densification rate, and final material densities of 95% of theoretical
density may be obtained.
Sintering
may also involve a liquid phase if some constituents of the starting powder
have a low melting point. The photograph shows the surface of the sintered
ceramic Forsterite, 2MgO.SiO2,
where the liquid phase present during sintering is depressed below the
surface due to surface tension forces. |
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