Simulation of the Viscous Sintering of Two Particles

The viscous sintering of two initially spherical particles is modeled as creeping flow in response to surface tension. The governing equations are solved using the finite-element method. The condensed results of this simulation, the center-to-center approach velocity, and the rate of change of contact area were presented earlier. Some details of the flow field during sintering and the evolution of the neck geometry in the early stages of sintering are presented here. Important numerical issues are detailed.