Computer Simulation for Sintering under the Presence of Liquid Phase by Monte Carlo Method

Abstract

The simulation for liquid phase sintering has been newly developed by Monte Carlo method. The basic three mechanisms in liquid phase sintering, namely (1) liquid wetting on solid surface, (2) rearrangement of solid particle by capillary force of liquid, (3) growth of solid particles by solution-reprecipitation through liquid phase (Ostwald ripening), have been introduced in the simulation. The liquid wetting on a solid plane or solid particle surface progressed more easily as decreasing the energy between solid and liquid (γ_SL). The introduction of rearrangement into the simulation brought the result that relative density increased with decreasing γ_SL and pores remained. The introduction of Ostwald ripening in addition to liquid wetting and rearrangement produced the result that relative density increased on the whole and the effect of γ_SL became clear. The simulation including Ostwald ripening was able to demonstrate clearly and continuously the influence of γ_SL on growth and contiguity of solid particles.