Computer simulations of interactions between ultrafine alumina particles produced by an arc discharge
Journal
Journal of Materials Research
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
1
Pages
235-243
Date Issued
1997
Author(s)
Abstract
We wrote two computer programs, 3D and BUMP, to interpret transmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs made during a study of the initial stage sintering of ultrafine alumina particles (UFP's, 20–50 nm in diameter). The first simulated the 3D geometric relationships of particles, from which we concluded that surface diffusion was the predominant sintering mechanism because no shrinkage occurred. BUMP simulated random contact of two particles and showed that the particle chains that formed before sintering were not formed purely by chance. Instead the particles experienced a rearrangement process (rotation and sliding) which reduced the total surface energy.
Type
journal article