Ceramic-filled-glass (CFG) composites densify by viscous flow during final-stage, non-reactive, liquid-phase sintering (NLPS). The rate of densification is controlled by the viscosity of the CFG composite dispersion during sintering, which is determined by the concentration of ceramic filler in the composite, and the viscosity of the suspending glass medium. A mathematical expression has been developed that determines the critical filler concentration in a given viscosity glass at which high-density CFG composites will be produced in a given time during final-stage NLPS. This expression has been used to predict the effects of sintering time, pore size, and glass viscosity on critical filler concentration, and to construct final-stage sintering maps that provide guidelines for designing and processing high-density CFG composites. 12 refs., 2 figs
