Phase-field simulation of platelike grain growth during sintering of alumina

Abstract

Aiming to control the volume fraction and the distribution of platelike grains in sintered alumina, a phase-field model is applied to find factors in anisotropic grain growth in powder compacts during sintering. Two-dimensional simulations of the microstructure evolution at the final stage of sintering are performed with and without the anisotropy of the interfacial energy taken into consideration. Anisotropic grain growth can be observed when the difference in interfacial energy between crystal orientations is large.