The compaction diagram is a useful characterization tool for measuring
the strength of powder agglomerates (e.g. granules) and characterizin
g the microstructural development of powder compacts in dry forming op
erations. The current work describes a new method for the rapid measur
ement and analysis of compaction diagrams. A computer-controlled testi
ng machine was used to collect crosshead versus load data during powde
r compaction in a uniaxial die. The net crosshead translation during l
oading included the permanent compaction of the powder plus the combin
ed elastic deflections of the powder compact and the testing apparatus
. In order to compensate for the elastic deformation in the testing ap
paratus, baseline data were collected by compressing an empty die and
were subtracted from the net crosshead position. At the high pressure
endpoint, the elastic deformation in the powder compact (i.e. springba
ck) is the difference between the adjusted crosshead position and the
thickness of the pellet after ejection from the die. At intermediate p
ressures, mathematical models were used to estimate the springback. Th
is approach resulted in improved accuracy, significant time savings an
d an expanded scope of analytical capability compared to other methods
of generating compaction diagrams.