Three-Dimensional Simulation of Metallic Powder Compression: Global Microstructural Approach

Abstract

A three-dimensional random stacking of uniformly sized spheres representing the solid phase is simulated and digitised on a computer. The initial stacking arrangement is then densified by successive dilations of the solid phase. For each step of the densification, the classical stereological parameters and a topological one are measured. The successive structures obtained during the densification correspond closely to those provided by the compression of a powder. A quantitative comparison is then made between the simulation and some experimental results concerning a metallic powder. The three-dimensional simulation appears to be realistic because of the good correlation observed between these experimental data for the stereological parameters. The topological evolution of a powder stack during compression should then be accurately described by this simulation. PM/0628