The use of hardness in the study of compaction behaviour and die loading

Abstract An experimental relationship between density, hardness and compacting pressure is obtained for the isostatic compaction of Alcoa grade 1202 atomised aluminum powder. These results are used to evaluate the use of hardness measurement in the determination of density contours within compacts and pressure distributions at the compact—die interface. Density contours and pressure distributions are presented for closed die compacts; the results are in general agreement with those reported in the literature for more complex techniques. The technique is shown to be suitable for use in many situations.