TOUGHNESS CHARACTERIZATION OF IRON-BASED POWDER MATERIAL

Fracture mode dependence on the material structure is applied to characterize the fracture toughness of iron-based powder material. The porosity parameter is varied to exhibit the change in the observed fracture mechanism and hence the fracture toughness of powder materials. Useful information is obtained to enhance the production technology in terms of porosity content and inter-particle contacts. The proposed simulation procedure provides data that are in good agreement with experiments and makes it possible to predict the mechanical behavior of powder materials with different structures. Complex dependence of fracture toughness on the porosity of powder materials is reflected by competing microfracture mechanisms and inherent peculiar behavior of the compacting powder.