The green compact obtained after powder compaction has very less strength, hence the heat treatment (sintering) is done to provide strength to it. Sintering is done at around 0.8 times the melting temperature of the base material. At that temperature, diffusion in the material takes place that leads to the diffusion bounding of particles.
An increase in the strength of material is the most important advantage of sintering process. Main drawbacks of this process is the formation of undesired secondary phases that affect the properties of sintered product.
There are various advanced sintering processes such as microwave sintering and plasma sintering.