Sintering of non-spherical polyethylene particles

Experimental observations of polymer sintering with non-spherical particles have been carried out. The evolution of neck formation during sintering was studied by two- particle experiments in a temperature-controlled oven. Shrinkage and change in surface area were also measured using image analysis. Melt densification studies using powder particles were included to complement the two-particle experiments. It was found that ground polymer particles show an important shape recovery stage at the beginning of the sintering process. Comparisons with sintering models available in the literature were made and deviations from the behaviour predicted by such models are discussed.