Dynamic compaction of copper powder: 2D numerical simulation and experimental results

Abstract

A method for plate-impact dynamic compaction of copper powder has been developped. The optimization of the experimental set-up (impedance adjustments, tensile wave traps, relative thickness of impactor and target,…) is presented.

2D axisymetrical numerical simulations have been performed with a Lagrangian finite element code. Geometrical characteristics of the experimental set-up as well as the dynamic response of the powder (Reaugh equation of state) and of the material of the set-up have been taken into account. These simulations show that, due to the difference in shock velocities in the container and in the powder, the powder is submitted to 2D loading waves. As a matter of fact the powder may be loaded by a non-planar shock wave propagating in the as-expected direction, as well as by a sweeping wave initiated at the bottom of the powder container, and propagating obliquely from the bottom-up. This second wave loads the bottom of the powder first. The influence of the impactor thickness as well as its material on the shock front shape and on the shock density-pressure history of the material has been studied. 1D simulations are shown not to evaluate properly the stress history and the energy deposition in the powder sample.

Metallographic observations as well as X-ray tomography experiments have been performed on consolidated samples. A very good agreement has been found between results of 2D numerical simulations and the observed final shape and density maps of the samples. The shape of deformed powder particles are also in agreement with the expected shock history.