Numerical approach for simulation of geometry variation during sintering of ceramics based on the finite element method

Sintering is a complex physical and mechanical process, which is one of the most important technological processes in powder metallurgy and ceramic industry. In this work, the study of free sintering of a ceramic object is carried out using the rheological theory of sintering. Numerical solution of the problem in the three-dimensional case was implemented using the Finite Element Method with the freely distributed FreeFem++ software. The experiments on sintering of aluminium oxide ceramic paste were conducted for several temperature regimes. The validation of the realized model is confirmed by comparing the numerical and experimental data of porosity evolution.