Mathematical modeling of sintering of two cylinders in fused filament fabrication

In fused filament fabrication (FFF), it is important to know the time required for a pair of cylinders to coalesce and form a single cylinder. Virtually all present day mathematical models for viscous sintering of polymer particles are based on Frenkel's model, which was originally developed for the start of the coalescence. It is based on the assumption that the process time is determined by the balance of surface tension and viscous forces. …