Dependence of compaction efficiency in dry pressing on the particle size distribution

The compact densification with pressing pressure (compaction efficiency) was determined to be sensitive to the particle size distribution. For the three types of alumina powders used in this research, the compaction efficiency increased with increasing particle size. It has been demonstrated that if the compact density versus log (pressure) has a linear relationship for any two types of powders, so do the blends of the two powders. A model is proposed which can predict the compaction efficiency of a binary particle system based on the Furnas particle packing model and consider the packing efficiency as a function of forming pressure. The composition of the binary mixture at which the highest density is obtained under high pressures is also the composition having the largest compaction efficiency. When coarse particles were added to this composition, the compaction efficiency slowly decreased, and when fine particles were added, the compaction efficiency rapidly decreased. For a continuous particle size distribution, the highest compaction efficiency is related to the average value of -log (pore fraction).