SIMULATION OF MICROSCOPIC SHRINKAGE BEHAVIOR IN SINTERING OF POWDER COMPACT

A method for simulating microscopic shrinkage behaviour of powder part icles in sintering of a compact is proposed on the basis of the granul ar element method. In this method, the powder particles ale modelled a s many circular elements undergoing viscoplastic deformation due to su rface tension during the sintering, and the microscopic, shrinkage is calculated by equilibrating forces acting on the elements. The variati on in shape of necks between the elements during the sintering is take n into consideration. Plane-strain shrinkage in sintering is calculate d under regular, and irregular dispositions of powder particles. In th e regular disposition of powders having the same diameter; the obtaine d shrinkage behaviour is compared with the experimental one using glas s rods and the calculated one by the viscoplastic finite-element simul ation respectively. It is shown from the simulation of irregular dispo sition that the densification due to the sintering is accelerated by m ixing powders having different diameters. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.