Sintering Fundamentals: Mechanisms and Kinetics

This lecture covers the fundamentals of sintering, a thermal treatment process transforming compacted powder bodies into solid bodies. It discusses the key parameters influencing sintering, such as temperature, pressure, and particle size. The lecture delves into the driving forces behind sintering, emphasizing the importance of diffusion mechanisms and defect chemistry. It explores the impact of surface energy changes on sintering, as well as the role of solid-state diffusion in matter transport. Additionally, it explains the influence of curvature on diffusion and vapor pressure. The lecture concludes with an overview of the different mechanisms of solid-state sintering and the stages involved in the sintering process.