AEA takes lead in powder project
15 Jan 2000
A project aimed at helping powder manufacturers to enhance product quality and reduce costs is being led by AEA Technology, with funding by the DTI.
Powder compaction is a critical stage in production for many manufacturers. But density variations in powders make it difficult to manufacture components because of serious losses in operating performance during the manufacturing cycle. Such density variation usually stems from friction between the powder and die during compaction, but also from the shearing and densification mechanisms that distribute the densification process through the powder mass.
Although models for predicting density variation after compaction are being developed, they are not yet widely used - mainly because data for the models is sparse and there are few standard methods available for data measurement.
The work being led by AEA will develop methods for measurement of friction and densification parameters for commercial powders, as well as methods for assessing density variations in powder compacts.
A study will also be undertaken using existing models to assess the accuracy required from test data and current model developers will be asked to confirm the forms of data input they need.
The University of Wales in Swansea will assess the use of shear box and uniaxial tests for shear and friction parameters, while AEA will complement this by looking at a range of triaxial tests to confirm whether input data can be generated using simple test apparatus, such as an instrumented die.
Selected techniques will be tailored to give industry the means of assessing powder quality.
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