Computer-aided control of the evolution of microstructure during sintering

Control of the microstructure is crucial for realizing optimum properties in advanced sintered materials. We describe a mathematical model for solid state sintering of ceramic systems, which is based on a population balance paradigm for pore shrinkage and grain growth. It incorporates the interplay between densification and grain growth and tracks the trajectories of pore and grain size spectra in a reasonably realistic manner. The model is employed in a simulation mode to identify the effect of initial grain (particle) size distribution and to optimize the time–temperature sintering cycle based on our own work on sintering of composite alumina–zirconia. The utility of this approach for computer-aided control of the evolution of microstructure is discussed.