Computer Simulation for Microstructure Development in Porous Sintered Compacts

A Monte Carlo simulation based on Potts model in a three dimensional lattice was studied to analyze and design microstructures in porous sintered compacts such as porosity, pore size, grain (particle) size and contiguity of grains. The effect of surface energy of particles and the content of additional fine particles to coarse particles on microstructure development were examined to obtain fundamentals for material design in porous materials. It has been found that the larger surface energy enhances sintering (necking) of particles and increases contiguity, and surface energy does not change pore size and grain size. The addition of fine particles also enhances sintering of particles and increases contiguity, but it has an effect on increment of pore size and grain size. Such a simulation technique can give us important information or wisdom for design of porous materials, e.g., material system with high surface energy and fine particle addition are available for higher strength and larger porosity in porous sintered compacts with applications in an automobile.