Liquid-phase sintering under microgravity conditions

Liquid-phase sintering routinely is used to form dense composite structures. The technique is generally restricted to high solid contents to ensure rigidity of the compact to achieve net shaping. Experimental conditions present during microgravity processing have allowed liquid-phase sintering over a wider range of liquid-solid ratios than possible on Earth. Early results from experiments performed on the space shuttle Columbia during 1994 are used to show the novel behavior associated with microgravity conditions.