Sintering of Low‐Density Glasses: I, Theory

An analysis is presented which describes the rate at which a cubic array of cylinders densifies by viscous flow driven by surface energy reduction. The cubic array is proposed as a model for the microstructure of low‐density, open‐pore materials such as gels and flame‐hydrolysis preforms. The parameters of the model structure (cylinder length and radius) can be deduced from Hg penetration porosimetry.