Sintering of Low‐Density Glasses: III, Effect of a Distribution of Pore Sizes

The sintering model presented in Part I is extended by considering a Gaussian distribution of pore sizes in the body. The effect of the breadth of the distribution on the densification kinetics is demonstrated; this effect is small except for very broad distributions. The greatest change occurs in the last few percents of shrinkage since the largest pores close relatively slowly. The range of pore sizes typically found in flame hydrolysis preforms or silica gel is narrow enough that the sintering kinetics are adequately described in terms of a single pore size. The specific surface area is shown to be independent of the breadth of the distribution.