Abstract
Newly developed software for calculation of activation energy (Qs in the following) of sintering using the Wang and Raj model is presented. To demonstrate the practical potential of the software and to evaluate the behaviour of the Qs during the sintering process, alumina and cubic zirconia ceramic compacts were prepared from nanometric powders. The results obtained with both materials are in agreement with previously published data calculated by different approaches. In the interval of interest (relative densities from 60 % to almost 100 % of theoretical density), both materials show similar behaviour. Three distinct regions can be seen: the initial constant values of Qs 868 kJ/mol and 762 kJ/mol for alumina and cubic zirconia, respectively; a region containing linear drop of Qs and the final region of constant Qs values 625 kJ/mol and 645 kJ/mol for alumina and cubic zirconia, respectively.
Highlights
The ceramic processing starts from the synthesis of ceramic powder and green body formation
The green body is heated at temperatures approaching melting
Developed software for time efficient calculation of Qs by Wang and Raj model was introduced. Both experimental materials exhibit the same change of Qs during sintering
Summary
The ceramic processing starts from the synthesis of ceramic powder and green body formation. The green body is heated at temperatures approaching melting. This allows pores to shrink and disappear, which leads to densification. When the grain size evaluated for one specific relative density is not dependent on heating schedule, the equation still can be solved [10]. The left side of Eq 4 at the specific relative density for all heating rates is calculated. If all presumptions are valid, these points lay on a line which slope determines the Qs. Calculation of Qs by the Wang and Raj model for statistically significant amount of samples, materials or densities could be time consuming. The software starts with the import of data in the CSV format, which contain records of time, temperature and relative density for every sample. ZrO2 (+8 mol% Y2O3) Tosoh Corporation, Japan TZ-8Y *data provided by manufacturer
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