A SIZE INTERVAL-BY-SIZE INTERVAL MARCHING ALGORITHM FOR MODELING GRAIN-GROWTH IN THE INTERMEDIATE STAGE OF SINTERING

An accurate and efficient numerical algorithm is presented for solving the grain population balance equation which describes the evolution o f micro-structure as a function of time in solid-state sintering. The solution scheme is based on the postulate that in a class of physicall y realistic deterministic systems, the queue or the relative order of particles in size is maintained intact as they grow and/or decay in ti me. The resulting size interval-by-size interval marching algorithm ha s been validated with the available asymptotic steady-state analytical solutions of grain growth/ripening model equations. It can be employe d to simulate the sintering process in a more quantitative and realist ic manner than what has been possible hitherto, especially in the inte rmediate stage of sintering, which is of practical interest in ceramic systems. A variety of simulations showing the effects of initial grai n size distribution and sintering time are presented. Potential applic ations for optimizing the sintering process are discussed. (C) 1998 El sevier Science B.V.