Computer simulation of effects of the pore size distribution on the kinetics of pressure-assisted final-stage densification

Most theoretical treatments of pressure-assisted densification of porous solids assume a single size for all pores. We remove this assumption and consider a distribution of pore sizes. Dissolution of intragranular pores by volume diffusion and dissolution of intergranular pores by grain-boundary diffusion are both treated. The evolution with time of pore size distributions is calculated for distributions that are initially described by log-normal and Weibull functions, and differences in predicted behaviours are discussed. The pore size distribution is then related to two important quantities: porosity and number of pores per unit volume. The assumption of a distribution of pore sizes is found to avoid certain unrealistic predictions obtained from models with a single pore size, such as abrupt disappearance of all pores and rapid approach to full density.