Discrete element study on the influence of initial coordination numbers on sintering behaviour

A particle-based simulation approach using the discrete element method (DEM) to simulate solid-state sintering is extended in order to account for variable coordination numbers. The model is applied to green particle configurations with different coordination numbers, but similar green densities. For configurations both with monosized particles and with particles having a size distribution it is shown that a decrease in initial coordination number strongly retards densification. This observation is independent of the selected green density.