Consolidation and mechanical behaviour of nanocrystalline iron powder

Abstract

Iron nanopowders, with an average diameter of <100 nm, were consolidated using plasma pressure compaction (P²C). The consolidated samples produced were of the order of 15 mm in diameter and 4·1 mm thick. The time and pressure of compaction were varied in order to study the effects of processing variables on the microstructure and the mechanical behaviour in compression of the materials. It was found that the compliance of the loading curves was a function of the mesoscale porosity in the specimens. The strain to failure was found to be a function of the porosity on the microscale. The optimal strength and ductility were achieved in specimens in which a fully dense (on the microscale), platelet structure had developed.