Effect of particle-size distribution on the microstructural evolution in the intermediate stage of sintering

The effect of particle-size distribution on microstructural evolution in the intermediate stage of sintering of powder compacts was investigated, The evolution of pore channels was dominated by particle-size distribution but independent of sintering temperature. Moreover, a powder compact with a fine particle and uniform size distribution could prolong the intermediate stage of sintering, which in turn effectively inhibited grain growth. The mechanisms of evolution and pinch off of the pore channels of the powder compact with different particle-size distributions were discussed.