Sintering of Particulate Composites under a Uniaxial Stress

The sintering of particulate composites consisting of a finegrained zinc oxide matrix and <10 vol% of coarse silicon carbide inclusions was investigated at 725°C under a uniaxial stress of ⋍250 kPa. Data for the densification and creep rates of the composite were compared with those for the unreinforced matrix. The inclusions cause a drastic reduction in the measured densification and creep rates. They have a greater effect on the densification process, however; the ratio of the densification rate to the creep rate of the composite is approximately half that of the unreinforced compact. The factors that cause the reduction in this ratio are present from the very early stage of sintering.