Multicomponent and multiphase simulation of liquid-phase sintering

Numerical simulation of liquid-phase sintering using a multicomponent and multiphase model is presented. The model consists of convective concentration and phase-field equations coupled with the Navier-Stokes equations with surface tension forces. The governing equations are nondimensionalized and an adaptive finite element method is utilized. An idealized phase diagram, surface energies, and typical dimensionless parameters are some input into the model. Important dynamics in liquid-phase sintering such as rapid wetting and motion of particles due to capillary forces are studied. Some factors that are known to significantly affect the dynamics of the sintering process such as contact angles and volume ratios are also investigated. In addition, numerical results on the motion of particles due to capillary forces were compared with an existing analytical model. Good agreement between numerical and analytical results is obtained within the validity of the analytical model. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.