Simulation of dynamic compaction of metal powders

This article presents numerical studies on the deformation of particles dur ing dynamic compaction of metal powders. The analysis of the process is bas ed on a micromechanics approach using multiple particle configurations. The material considered is elastoviscoplastic with interparticle friction. Two -dimensional studies on particles in close packed arrangement were carried out using plane strain conditions for deformation and thermal response. The finite element method using an explicit dynamic analysis procedure was use d for the simulations. The influence of speed of compaction, strain hardeni ng, strain rate dependency, interparticle friction and size of the powder p articles on the final shape and temperature variations within the particles were analyzed. The studies offer useful information on the shape and tempe rature variations within the particles. The results provide a better unders tanding of the dynamic compaction process at the micromechanics level. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)02502-5].