Compaction mechanism as the function of atomized powder particle size

The cold compaction process of spray dried powder for ceramic floor/wall tiles production was followed by compaction response and compaction rate diagrams. Seven fractions of defined size, as well as the industrial powder batch, were compacted at pressures up to 31.5 MPa. The effect of particle size, textural and morphological characteristics on the consolidation mechanism was investigated. Both plastic deformation and brittle fracture were identified, the dominating mechanism in a given pressure range being the direct function of the size and morphology characteristics of the particles.