Analysis of early-stage sintering mechanisms of mechanically activated BaTiO3

Barium-titanate powder was mechanically activated in a planetary-ball mill for 60 and 120 minutes. Non-isothermal sintering of non-activated and activated powder samples was investigated using a dilatometer in the temperature interval from room to 1380oC with three different heating rates (10, 20 and 30oC/min). Early-stage sintering mechanisms for all three types of samples were analyzed, showing significant differences between the non-activated and mechanically activated samples.