Influence of materials, shape and process variables on the densification equation coefficients

Powder behavior during compaction has been studied in depth during the long-lasting cooperation between Sacmi Imola s.c and the powder metallurgy research group at the University of Trento. The strong influence of many different parameters on compressibility and densification of powders has been highlighted, and synergistic effects have been observed. The experimental data continuously recorded by industrial presses served as a basis to derive compaction mechanics relationships and the densification model. This work is focused on the densification equation. The coefficients in the densification equation are critically evaluated as a function of the variables considered, using data coming from different materials, with different particle size, forming different geometries through different compaction strategies. The goal is to identify the relationships describing the variation of coefficients as a function of such variables. As a consequence, it will be possible to distinguish the relative weight of the variables governing the densification process.