Computer Simulation of Microstructure Development and Shape Deformation in Powder Metallurgy Process

Abstract

Powder metallurgy is a process for compacting and sintering powders such as metals and ceramics, and has been attracting new attention in recent years. This paper presents research examples in which simulation methods such as molecular dynamics (MD) method, Monte Carlo (MC) method, finite element method (FEM), and discrete element method (DEM) are applied to powder metallurgy. The MD method is used to calculate physical property values such as interfacial energy and diffusion coefficient that change depending on the type of grain boundaries. The MC method is used to calculate the microstructural development due to the sintering and grain growth. The microstructure can be predicted when the sintering process is changed. The FEM is used to calculate deformation and strain. The sintering simulation combined with the MC method can calculate the microstructural changes and deformation simultaneously. In the compaction simulation, density distribution due to the friction with the mold can be analyzed. The DEM is used to calculate the compaction structure. The interaction of the friction and stiffness between particles and particle/mold can be analyzed. As powder metallurgy technology develops, process design that considers the whole process will be important. Supporting technology based on simulation will become increasingly important.