Finite element analysis of densification of Fe-40at%Al composite powders

Abstract

Finite element analysis was conducted to study the compaction densification mechanism of Fe-40at%Al composite powders. Firstly, the effect of compaction methods on the property of the compact was characterized by finite element simulation and physical experiment. It was shown that the double compaction could obtain denser compacts comparing with that in uniaxial compaction under the same initial conditions. The simulation result was consistent with the experiment result, and they were well fitted with Van Der Zwan-Siskens model. Furthermore, the effect of compaction pressure was analyzed. It was observed that the increase in compaction pressure could improve the relative density and stress of the compact. Finally, the effect mechanism of the die wall friction was analyzed. And a fitting equation of Fe-40at%Al composite powders was proposed on the basis of Van Der Zwan-Siskens model. The results indicated that friction was the primary reason that induced inhomogeneous density and stress distributions.