Temperature dependence and mechanism of sintering

The results are presented of a study of the sintering process as a function of temperature, keeping size distribution, shape, and density nearly constant. The confined compression test method was used. It is shown that the degree of sintering of snow and the rate constant as a function of temperature can be represented satisfactorily by an exponential equation. The results indicate that the sintering process is one of evaporation, diffusion through the ambient temperature, and condensation. (Author).