Abstract
This paper describes the so-called meso-scale simulations of sintering a particulate body. Computations were made using 3D structure-imitation computer model of evolution of a powder compact during sintering. It was demonstrated, that in powder bodies the effect of zonal isolation (forming separate groups of particles during sintering) determines features of shrinkage and internal structure of a compact. In case of the diffusion- viscous flow of particles the fact was proved that the zonal isolation is predetermined by ratio of viscosity and free surface energy. It was verified, that there is a critical value of the above ratio with respect to which the balance of internal structure- creating processes is determined.