Effect of Change of Scale on Sintering Phenomena

It is shown that when certain plausible assumptions are fulfilled simple scaling laws govern the times required to produce, by sintering at a given temperature, geometrically similar changes in two or more systems of solid particles which are identical geometrically except for a difference of scale. It is suggested that experimental studies of the effect of such a change of scale may prove valuable in identifying the predominant mechanism responsible for sintering under any particular set of conditions, and may also help to decide certain fundamental questions in fields such as creep and crystal growth.