ON LINE ULTRASONIC MONITORING OF IRON-POWDER DURING COMPACTION

A novel ultrasonic method of monitoring the compaction of iron powder is presented. The precision of this technique is discussed and its sen sitivity to changes in powder properties is investigated. The techniqu e is then applied to the problem of the compaction of a multilevel com pact. The technique proves capable of independently determining the de nsity of each level continuously during the compaction. Consequently, the technique is a more direct probe of the compaction process than co mmercially available systems. (C) 1996 The Institute of Materials.