On the Mechanisms of Particulate Media Compaction

Powder handling operations can produce segregation of particles when sufficient vibratory motion occurs. A benefit of this segregation could be the removal of some foreign particles, while the segregation can be a detriment when a uniform mixture of particles is desired. Segregation effects are discussed as well as the beneficial aspect of using a vibratory component of loading which can produce green compacts of more uniform distention than that produced by quasi-static pressing. Dynamic consolidation of green compacts using strong shock waves can produce void-free material with strong interparticle bonds. The kinetics and energetics of the shock consolidation of ductile powders is discussed, with the objective of modeling the process on the scale of individual powder particles.