The effect of material and particulate properties on the compaction of metal powders

This investigation attempts to assess quantitatively the influence of material and particulate characteristics upon the compaction behaviour of metal powders. The effects have been studied mainly by isostatic compact ion to eliminate the effects of die-wall friction. A range of powders has been studied having a wide variation in material properties. The application of the accurate data to existing pressure-density formulae resulted in only limited success. This necessitated the formulation of new relationships which were based upon stress-strain behaviour in solid metals. A formula has been proposed which success~llly describes the isostatic compact ion of metal powders to densities beyond the stage of maximum packing.