Automatic image analysis methods for the determination of stereological parameters - application to the analysis of densification during solid state sintering of WC-Co compacts

Automatic image analysis methods which were used to determine microstructural parameters of sintered materials are presented. Estimation of stereological parameters at interfaces, when the system contains more than two phases, is particularly detailed. It is shown that the specific surface areas and mean curvatures of the various interfaces can be estimated in the numerical space of the images. The methods are applied to the analysis of densification during solid state sintering of WC-Co compacts. The microstructural evolution is commented on. Application of microstructural measurements to the analysis of densification kinetics is also discussed.