Band structure based predictive criteria for selecting densifying additives during sintering of transition metal based hardmetals and iono-covalent ceramics

Abstract

It is our observation that the thermo-kinetic factors associated with sintering and densification in transition metal based hardmetal-binder systems and in iono-covalent ceramics with metal oxide additives have a common feature, namely an underpinning electronic driving force. The commonality of the electronic driving force mechanism for sintering and densification is due to the presence of bonding and anti-bonding energy levels in both systems. It is our proposal that the filling of the anti-bonding levels with electrons leads to destabilization, liquid phase formation and rapid diffusion that assists sintering and densification.