Effect of Inclusion Size on the Densification of ZnO–Zn7Sb2O12

Two-step densification curves, observed in the constant-rate heating of ZnO–Zn₇Sb₂O₁₂ composites, have been analyzed in correlation with the effect of inclusion particles (Zn₇Sb₂O₁₂). In the presence of these inclusion particles, the ZnO matrix is divided into two regions with different densification characteristics depending on the interaction with the particles. The linear shrinkage at the end of the first step depends on the inclusion size as well as on its volume fraction. The fractional volume of the region influenced by the inclusion particles has been estimated from the densification curve, and the size of the region influenced by an inclusion particle is found to increase with increasing inclusion size.