Contribution to understanding the theoretical basis of master sintering curve and its numerical approaches

Abstract Contributing to understanding the theoretical basis of master sintering curve (MSC) and its numerical approaches, this paper reorganizes the derivation of MSC theory and presents the numerical approaches of linear regression. The confidence interval of the apparent activation energy of sintering Q can be obtained by the linear regression approaches, which is useful in compariso. The densification process of a 95 wt% alumina ceramic during sintering is analyzed by different approaches. For the usual approach of MSC that assumes Q to be a constant, the value of Q calculated by the trial solution falls in the 95% and 90% confidence intervals of Q calculated by the linear regression approach. For the differentiating approach that assumes Q to be a function of density, there is little difference between these two curves calculated by the linear regression approach and the trial solution. At last, the micro‐process of densification during sintering and the applicability of MSC theory are discussed. In the final stage of sintering, the diffusivity of the enclosed gas contributes much more to Q , making Q seem larger, so the differentiating approach is more suitable for analyzing the densification process of a large density interval.