The effect of vibrational energy on the densification and interparticle friction of metal powders

The production of engineering components by the process of metal powder compaction and sintering is a rapidly expanding process. The filling of all parts of the die cavity to uniform densification prior to compaction is an essential part of the process if compacts of even density free from spalling are to be obtained. The research has the main objectives of showing how the variable parameters of vibrational energy will affect the densification of a range of powders having a wide variation of characteristics, into dies of restrictive sections. The mechanism of densification is essentially by reduction of interparticle friction and a shear cell has been devised to measure interparticle friction under various conditions of vibrational energy. [Continues.]