A comparative study of different sintering models for Al2O3

Based on various deformation mechanisms occurring during solid state sintering (pressureless and pressure assisted), a multitude of sintering models have been developed and presented in literature. As reported in literature, most of the simulation results line up well with experimental data. Unfortunately, none of them can be used arbitrarily and none of them are applicable to a generalized case. This paper focuses on a comparative study of three commonly applied models. The first model is based on a physical approach (Riedel) and the other two are phenomenologically based models (the modified Skorohod–Olevsky Viscous Sintering (SOVS) model and a modified Abouaf model). The material models have been implemented through FORTRAN Subroutines used for the FE-Software ABAQUS. The simulation results demonstrate their advantages and disadvantages based on sintering simulations of an aluminum oxide based ceramic cylinder and a bilayer laminate. A guideline to select a suitable model and the adjustment of input parameters under different sintering conditions for general usage is also discussed.