Mass transport in low‐temperature ceramic sintering and printing assisted by pressure and water

Abstract Ceramic processing through the combined use of pressure and water offers a promising approach to achieve accelerated mass transport between ceramic particles at reduced temperatures, providing a sustainable and low‐temperature method for ceramic synthesis and three‐dimensional printing. While previous studies have explored the roles of pressure and water in the fusion and densification of ceramic particles, the underlying mechanisms, especially for micro‐sized ceramic particles, are still debated. This paper aims to propose a potential mechanism for the fusion and densification of micro‐sized ceramic particles under the effect of pressure and water. Using a multi‐phase level‐set simulation model, our results suggest that stress‐assisted fracture and dissolution of interparticle contact points can be key factors driving the densification of micro‐sized ceramic particles in the presence of pressure and water.