Density evaluation of powder metallurgy compacts using in situ X-ray radiography

Abstract

The measurement of density in porous materials during mass production process is one of the most important factors in industry. The existing methods for measuring density such as hydrostatic weighing and microscopic examinations have some limitations and some inherent problems associated with them. Recently, processes based on radiography have emerged. This paper deals with the in situ measurement of density of porous materials using X-ray techniques. For this purpose, experiments have been performed at various density levels of powder metallurgy compacts. In situ X-ray radiography was then carried out on samples. A correlation has been made between the film density of radiographic film and the surface density of the compacts. A mathematical relationship was derived between the absorbed X-ray, the film intensity and the compact density. The comparison of values of the experimental data and mathematical relationship reveals 1·6% average discrepancies.

Keywords:

• Powder metallurgy
• Surface density
• In situ radiography
• Film density

Support and help from X-ray Radiography Laboratory of Mechanical Engineering Department of Amirkabir University and Powder Metallurgy Laboratory of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department is acknowledged. The warmest thanks also go to Mr Reza Bahrami for his support in Powder Metallurgy Laboratory.