FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPACTION OF TUNGSTEN POWDERS

Abstract

It is difficult to form tungsten powders into compacts by pressure-forming methods. The brittleness of the powder particles causes them to fracture under pressure instead of producing the typical “point welds” exhibited by more ductile particles. Because of this, the powder characteristics such as particle size, size distribution, and particle shape play a most important role in the compacting of tungsten powders.Both regular- and irregular-shaped particles of tungsten powder are discussed as regards the formation of strong and dense compacts from these powders. Powders composed of irregular-shaped particles gave stronger, but less dense compacts. The effects of particle size and particle-size distribution are also considered. Each of these factors has individual as well as combined effects. It was found that certain critical particle-size distributions produced the densest compacts.It is concluded that interlocking of particles, which is brought about by surface irregularities, and interfit, which is determined by correct particle-size distribution, are the determining factors in the compaction of tungsten powders.