Liquid phase sintering, II: Computer study of skeletal settling and solid phase extrication in a microgravity environment

A two-dimensional numerical method based on the Brownian motion model and on the Densification model for simulation of liquid phase sintering in microgravity environment will be developed. Both models will be based on domain topology (two-dimensional particle representation) and control volume methodology and on three submodels for domain translation, solid skeleton formation and domain extrication. This method will be tested in order to conduct a study of diffusion phenomena and microgravitational effects on microstructural evolution influenced by skeletal settling combined with solid-phase extrication during liquid phase sintering of porous W-Ni system.