Densification rate in a granular mechanical sintering model based on flux balance

Properties of a solid state sintering model developed for the study of nuclear fuel sintering are studied (chemical potential at surfaces expression and along a grain boundary). They generalize classical sintering laws in symmetrical cases with a constant grain boundary mean curvature (rounded or plane grain boundary). The shrinkage rate is discussed for classical analytical models with their geometrical assumptions, and their tacit assumptions are emphasized. With our model, morphology of grains resulting from their fabrication route can be taken into account. Flux balance along the triple line gives an insight to sinterability of powders due to their morphology.