Particle size induced heterogeneity in compacted powders: Effect of large particles

• Published in: Advanced powder technology : the international journal of the Society of Powder Technology, Japan Japan, 2018-12, Vol.29 (12), p.2978-2986
• Main Authors: Yohannes, Bereket, Liu, Xue, Yacobian, Gary, Cuitiño, Alberto M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Heterogeneity; Maximum particle size; Particle size distribution; Powder compaction; Tensile strength test
• ISSN: 0921-8831; 1568-5527
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2018.09.020

[Display omitted] •The presence of large particles causes inconsistency in compactibility of powders.•Tablets will be weaker if the die size is less than 6 times the largest particle.•Larger particles cause large elastic recovery during unloading of compaction force.•Tensile strength of a single tablet is different along different radial directions. We investigated the effect of particle size distribution on heterogeneity of compacted powders. We used experiments and discrete particle based simulations to compact powders, test the mechanical strength of the compact, and study the microstructure of the compact. A metallic powder which has a wide particle size distribution was used in the experiments. We found that the compaction profile is not reproducible when particles larger than 1/6 of the die diameter are present in the powder sample. The presence of these large particles generate a highly heterogeneous inter-particle contact and bonding forces. The discrete particle simulations showed that for these heterogeneous compacts the tensile strength exhibits high variability, even for one compact if the diametrical compression force is applied along different axes. Based on these results, it is recommend that the largest particle in a powder compact should not exceed one sixth of the die diameter, which is the same as the recommendation of ASTM International D4767 - 11 for compression test of cohesive soils.