Processes Involved in Mixing and Segregation of Metal Powders

Abstract

Following a brief description of the processes connected with mixing and segregation of metal powders, the instruments are described which have been used for these experiments. The method of determination of coarse and fine distribution in powders is discussed. For evaluation, methods of mathematical statistics are used. The study of mathematical interrelationship has been omitted, since mainly the practical behavior of powder mixtures was to be assessed. In coarse distributions the relative standard deviation was used as the characteristic quantity for the degree of mixing. Fine distribution was determined according to the results obtained by the “linear count method,” by the “distribution on areas,” and by the “determination of the smallest particle distance,” using statistical methods. The experiments have been made with model mixtures in which the influence of particle size, density, and shape of grain could be ascertained in a relatively simple manner.