Size Ratio Effects on Particle Contact Evolution at Uniaxial Powder Compaction

Abstract

Cold compaction of composite powders has been analyzed using a discrete element method (DEM). Powder aggregates consisting of up to approximately 10,000 particles and formed by two powder populations with known material strength and size ratios have been compacted both isostatically and uniaxially (die compaction). The particles were assumed constitutively to be perfectly plastic or rigid and as a result, local contacts between the particles were described by a linear force-displacement relation given by previous in-depth analyses of spherical indentation problems. Particular emphasis has been placed on investigating the particle contact evolution at die compaction and to compare the results with previous ones pertinent to the isostatic case. Consequently, the predictive capability of the fundamental assumptions frequently used in theoretical analyses of compaction problems is determined for a uniaxial situation. The main conclusion is that size ratio effects are substantial at die compaction and when such features are present, theoretical predictions overestimates the (average) number of contacts per particle. It was also found that the mechanical behaviors at isostatic and die compaction are very similar even though die compaction values are slightly higher at high values on the relative density of powder materials.

Keywords:

• particle contact evolution
• powder compaction
• size ratio effects

Acknowledgments

Present address for O. Skrinjar: FOI–Swedish Defense Agency, SE-14725, Tumba, Sweden.