Surface Area Reduction During Isothermal Sintering

A kinetic model for the reduction in specific surface area during isothermal sintering is examined in detail. Experimental data for a variety of materials including A1 2 O 3 , B, Ni, Cu, ZnO, TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , and As‐Se‐S glasses are analyzed by the technique provided. The results of this technique agree well with those for previously identified sintering mechanisms for each material. The kinetic model is based on sintering driven by the curvature gradient in the interparticle neck region associated with initial‐stage sintering. At the intermediate stage of sintering, a diminished curvature gradient shifts the sintering driving force to the excess surface free energy.