Powder Forming Using Dynamic Magnetic Compaction

Abstract

Conventional powder forming of metals, ceramics and composites uses room temperature pressing approaches such as static uniaxial pressing, isotropic pressing - cold isostatic pressing (CIP) or elevated temperature hot isostatic pressing (HIP) methods. In this paper, description of a unique dynamic pressing approach for powder materials will be presented where very high pulse pressures (of GPa range) are applied for a short duration (of < 1 millisecond) on powders. Such a dynamic pressing offers the ability to form uniformly high density net shape parts with fine microstructures. The method can be applied to wide range of materials such as metals, ceramics, composites and soft and hard magnetic materials. A broad range of powder particle size distributions, from coarse micron size to fine nano size powders, can be used in the process. The principles of dynamic pressing method along with the summary of results on various powder material systems will be presented. The performance of parts made with dynamic method will be compared with conventional processes.