Modeling of distortion after densification during liquid-phase sintering

Liquid-phase sintering (LPS) is a technique widely used to sinter hard and heavy metals such as tungsten carbide and tungsten heavy alloys. LPS involves formation of a liquid phase during sintering that promotes fast densification. However, the ratio of liquid to solid, microstructure and external forces (gravity, component/substrate friction) act to promote distortion as a function of sintering time and temperature. To understand and control distortion during LPS, a numerical model is being developed to solve continuity and momentum equations using a finite-element technique. In this article, transient distortion under gravity is calculated as a function of surface tension, density, and viscosity of the material. The effect of the friction force due to the component support during isothermal sintering is also evaluated and compared with experimental data acquired by in-situ recording of distortion during sintering.