An overview of dynamic compaction in powder metallurgy

Abstract

This paper is a critical review of dynamic compaction as a means to densify metal powders. Dynamic compaction was discovered in the 1960s. Most of the investigations since then have focused mainly on the physics dealing with energy, motion and force aspects of the process. Owing to this, there is a lack of knowledge of the effects of preprocessing and processing factors on this process. This knowledge gap has created skepticism in the PM community about this process' practice. This review attempts to bridge this gap and highlights the powder metallurgical aspects of dynamic compaction by emphasising the key powder related factors and processing parameters affecting dynamic compaction. Powder related factors include powder characteristics and the processing parameters including the machine operating parameters. Attention has been given to iron, aluminium and copper powders. Through this review, this article paves the way to design of high density dynamic compaction systems based on the final PM component requirements, by adjusting the material and processing parameters.

Keywords:

• DYNAMIC COMPACTION
• HIGH STRAIN RATE COMPACTION
• HIGH VELOCITY COMPACTION
• POWDER CHARACTERISTICS
• FULL DENSITY
• IRON
• ALUMINIUM
• COPPER
• GREEN DENSITY
• APPARENT DENSITY
• POWDER METALLURGY
• CONSOLIDATION
• SPRINGBACK