DIMENSIONAL VARIATION OF DIE-PRESSED CERAMIC GREEN COMPACTS - COMPARISON OF A FINITE-ELEMENT MODELING WITH EXPERIMENT

The dimensional variation of simple die-pressed ceramic green compacts is analysed by elasto-plastic numerical modelling with the finite ele ment method and also by experimental investigations. For the experimen tal investigations, the shape of a cylindrical alumina compact, obtain ed by using a single-acting punch dee pressing system, was measured by means of non-contacting laser profilometry. To facilitate the numeric al modelling, the Drucker-Prager/cap elasto-plasticity model was used in conjunction with the finite element code ABAQUS. Computed internal stress distributions are reported at various stages of the compaction. also, the final geometry of the compacted green component was predict ed. The origins of the dimensional variation of the ceramic green comp acts are discussed. It is shown that the predicted shape results, obta ined from the numerical model, agree well with the corresponding exper imental results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.