The Influence of Natural Convection and Radiation Heat Transfer on Sintering of Polycarbonate Powders

The influence ofsurface radiation and natural convection on sintering of polycarbonate powders processed under non-isothermal conditions is investigated. These modes of heat transfer affect local powder temperatures and thus local sintering rates which in turn influence part growth (uncontrolled sintering). This paper presents a 2-dimensional sintering simulation of powder whose free surface exchanges energy with the surrounding enclosure surfaces. Modeling is accomplished using a commercial finite element code (FIDAP) in conjunction with a model for viscous sintering.