Diffusion

· The sintering temperature controls the diffusion coefficient, D(T), for each of the contributing paths, and the sintering atmosphere can also influence these transport processes.
· The diagram shows the homologous temperature regions in which particular paths are important. At the boundaries between the mechanisms, each contributes about 50% to the process.
· The absolute temperatures shown are for the sintering of two copper spheres.

From: Edwards & Endean, "Manufacturing with Materials," Butterworths (1990)