Structural changes during sintering of powder of the metastable alloy Al-5% Cu prepared by centrifugal atomization of melt

The formation of liquid-phase interlayers between particles of rapidly cooled powder of the alloy Al-5% Cu during sintering was studied by the methods of complex thermal analysis and electron-scanning metallography. It was found that fluctuations of the chemical potential which arise as a result of the decomposition of the solid solution and excess grain-boundary energy drive the sintering process. Contact bridges between the particles are formed as a result of extrusion of melt to the particle surface during grain growth.