Numerical simulation and verification of hot isostatic pressing densification process of W-Cu powder

Abstract

Based on finite element method (FEM) and the plasticity theory, a numerical model is built to simulate the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process of W-Cu powders, and the densification law of the compact in the process is analysed. The cross-experiment method is used to formulate an orthogonal optimization plan for the insulation temperature, the holding pressure and the insulation holding time. The contour map diagram of the relative density in the temperature and pressure plane is established, and the optimal parameter scheme is proposed by simulation results. Experiments are carried out under the best HIP scheme. Comparison of experimental results with simulation results indicates that the numerical model is accurate. The results indicate that the densification process of the compact is from the edge to the centre. The optimal hot isostatic pressing parameter scheme obtained by simulation is 950 °C/110 MPa/2 h, and the overall relative density of the compact can reach more than 96% under this scheme. Under optimal scheme, the maximum error between the simulation results and the test results of the relative density is 1.28%, whereas the average error is about 0.3%.

Keywords

• finite element analysis
• W-Cu powder
• numerical simulation
• hot isostatic pressing