Influence of the liquid-phase component on a microwave sintering process

Sintering of barium titanate by microwave heating with barium borate as a liquid-phase forming material was examined as a means of saving energy. A liquid phase was generated faster and over a wider temperature range by intermittent heating at constant power than by constant heating with variable power. When sufficient amount of the liquid-phase forming material were present, the samples were densified at temperatures below those at which the liquid-phase is normally formed. A sample containing 10 mol% of the liquid-phase forming material was densified efficiently. When too much liquid-phase forming material was present, densification of the sample was obstructed.