Numerical simulation of solid state sintering

This paper discusses in detail the development of a numerical model capable of simulating microstructural evolution and macroscopic deformation during sintering of complex powder compacts. The model based on the kinetic Monte Carlo (Potts) approach simulates grain growth, vacancy diffusion, and pore annihilation at grain boundaries, which is responsible for densification. Results of 2D simulations for perfect close-packed and random starting configurations are presented and discussed. The microstructural evolution is used to obtain the sintering stress--the macroscopic stress that is equivalent to the microstructural driving force for deformation.