sinter (sin¦ter)

noun

• 1 Geology a hard siliceous or calcareous deposit precipitated from mineral springs.

• 2solid material which has been sintered, especially a mixture of iron ore and other materials prepared for smelting: typical blast-furnace burdens are 80% sinter, 20% ore

verb

• (with reference to a powdered material) coalesce into a solid or porous mass by means of heating (and usually also compression) without liquefaction: [with object]: when the moisture is removed from the slurry the powder compact is sintered (as adjective sintered) sintered glass [no object]: metal powders sinter together under pressure