The paper presents a model of nonlinear viscous behavior in the examination of gravity-induced distortion during liquid phase sintering. The model uses a finite element formulation to describe densification, viscous flow, and the associated dimensional changes and component slumping during sintering. The approach assumes sintering is conducted under isothermal conditions with averaged material properties. The numerical results are compared with experimental data and with a mathematical model on the distortion during liquid phase sintering of tungsten heavy alloys. The preliminary conclusions aim to provide better understanding of dimensional control during liquid phase sintering.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11661-013-2050-y