Solid Solution Additives and The Sintering of Ceramics

Abstract

Trace additives have long been known to be capable of greatly enhancing the sinterability of ceramic powder systems. Explanations for this effect have generally been sought either in the ability of the additive to prevent abnormal grain growth or in its ability to enhance the extent of densification in comparison to that of coarsening in response to the surface energy driving forces. Recent studies of sample microstructures and of sintering dilatometry lend weight to the first explanation, particularly in systems where a degree of microstructural inhomogeneity is to be found. PM/0356