Sintering Basics: Solid State Grain Growth & Microstructures

This lecture covers the fundamentals of sintering in ceramics, focusing on matter transport mechanisms such as diffusion and vapor pressure. It explains the role of grain boundary diffusion, lattice diffusion, and plastic flow in the sintering process. The lecture also discusses the stages of sintering, including initial, intermediate, and final stages, highlighting the changes in microstructure and density. Various analytical models are presented to understand the evolution of microstructure during sintering, emphasizing the competition between densification and coarsening. The importance of controlling microstructure for achieving desired material properties is also discussed.