Master Sintering Curve Construction Software and Its Applications

Park, S. J., Chung, S. H., Blaine, D., Suri, P., & German, R. (2004). Master Sintering Curve Construction Software and Its Applications. Advances in Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials - 2004, Part 1. Princeton, NJ: Metal Powder Industries Federation. 13-24.

Abstract

Sintering behavior can be modeled using the simple but powerful concept of master sintering curves both for relative density and for grain size. In this study, the computer software was developed for automatic construction of master sintering curves from experimental data such as dilatometery test, density and/or grain size measurement. This software consists of three steps for both for relative density and for grain size: (1) finding activation energies which governs master sintering curves, (2) automatically constructing the master sintering curves for given or calculated activation energies and (3) finding parameters for predicting relative density and/or grain size. Powders dealt with in this study include 17-4 PH stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, pure nickel, niobium, molybdenum, various tungsten heavy alloys and zirconia. In this paper, applications of master sintering curves will be discussed such as optimizing sintering cycles and furnace monitoring for consistent production.