Initial sintering kinetics of attrition milled nanocrystalline titanium powders

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the dominant mass transport mechanisms operating during sintering of nanocrystalline powders. The present investigation deals with these mass transport mechanisms in nanocrystalline titanium powders. Sintering studies have been carried out by dilatometry of the powder compacts using a constant rate of heating (CRH) and employing model equations for the initial sintering portion. The shrinkage values obtained by heating the specimens at a constant rate of heating (CRH) to various temperatures were analyzed using Young and Cutlers equations and a model proposed by Johnson and Berrin. Based on the analysis of experimental data, mechanisms are proposed for the initial sintering of nanocrystalline titanium powders.