A. Typical BehaviorIn this discussion, the concern is with the properties of systems with high volume fractions of solid (typically over 50"o solid at the sintering temperature), which includes most practical materials processed by liquid phase sintering techniques. There is a diversity of final mrcrostructures possible by liquid phase sintering. The microstructure carries over to affect the properties, especially mechanical behavior. However, microstructure is not the only factor affecting the properties of !iquid phase sintered materials ( 1, 2). Table 9. 1 lists the specific factors by categories of powder characteristics, sintering cycle, alloy composition, post-srntering heat treatment, sintered microstructure, and testing conditions. In light of such diversity, it is difficu It to rna ke specific statements about optimal conditions. However, there are some general results which provide insight to the links between composition, processing, microstructure, and properties.