Interplay of Sintering Microstructures, Driving Forces, and Mass Transport Mechanisms

The equilibrium shapes of segments of a row of sintering particles are calculated for the case where interparticle distances are constrained and, in particular, for only vapor‐phase transport or surface diffusion active. These equilibrium states are contrasted with those obtained by mechanisms which allow densification. The sintering potentials and surface curvatures are calculated for the equilibrium shapes as a function of dihedral angle. Expressions for the rate of shrinkage are presented and, for the case of equilibrium structures, calculated exactly.