Low Temperature Sintering of Spherical Silica Powder by Hydrothermal Hot-Pressing

Abstract

Powder of spherical silica particles prepared by hydrolysis of tetraethylorthosilicate was sintered by the hydrothermal hot-pressing method at low temperatures below 350°C. Densification of the powder was accelerated by the increase in reaction temperature and pressure. Formation of necks and deformation of particles were observed in fractured surface of a sintered body produced at high pressure (49MPa). Water contained in the starting powder was essential to the densification by hydrothermal hot-pressing.