sinter

n.

1. Geology. A chemical sediment or crust, as of porous silica, deposited by a mineral spring.
2. A mass formed by sintering.

v., -tered, -ter·ing, -ters.

v.tr.
To cause (metallic powder, for example) to form a coherent mass by heating without melting.

v.intr.
To form a coherent mass by heating without melting.

[German, from Middle High German, dross, metal slag, from Old High German.]

sinterability sin'ter·a·bil'i·ty n.

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A deposit of minerals, notably of silica and sulphates, precipitated in layered deposits from the gases released in an area of volcanic activity. A stepped series of sinter bowls, known as sinter terraces can result from this deposition. Sinter encrustations have entirely covered the buildings of the ancient city of Hierapolis, near Denizli, in Turkey.

Snow sintering is the bonding of snow particles, which can be produced by the diffusion of water molecules to particle contacts, and to pressure-induced creep.

To form a material from fusible powder by holding the pressed powder at a temperature just below its melting point for a period of time; the particles are fused (sintered) together, but the mass, as a whole, does not melt.

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[n] a deposit formed by the evaporation of spring water
[v] to form a coherent mass by heating without melting