Sintering kinetics for polymer particles

• Applicant: Dr. Michael Kappl
• Subject Area: Mechanical Process Engineering
• Term: from 2010 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 169802161

The aim of this work is to gain a fundamental understanding of the early stage of sintering of polymer particles. Specifically, the following question shall be addressed:1) How do contact forces increase during the early stage of sintering?2) What is the kinetics of sintering neck formation for micrometer-sized particles3) How does the mechanical strength of the sintered material increase with time?For particles with diameters of a few micrometers or less, the classical sintering models, e.g. the Frenkel model underestimate sintering rates. This is due to surface forces that provide an additional driving force which becomes significant for small particles.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1486: Particles in Contact - Micromechanics, Microprocess Dynamics and Particle Collectives