Sintering of Inhomogeneous Binary Powder Mixtures

A geometric model for the sintering of inhomogeneous, binary powder mixtures having a large size ratio is presented. The model is demonstrated for a hypothetical mixture in which the heterogeneity is described by a normal distribution function. The model is demonstrated for the case of the fine fraction sintering only and for the case of both components sintering. Relative to the prediction for the homogeneous mixture, shrinkage is observed to be either “enhanced,”“retarded,” or the same, depending on the compositional limits of heterogeneity and the level of sintering.