Model Simulation of Vibratory Ball Milling of Metal Powders

Abstract

The motion of each milling ball during vibratory ball milling of metal powders was simulated by a computer using one-. two- and three-dimensional models of a vibratory ball mill. In these models, the consumpton of impact energy of the balls by the micro-compaction of metal powder particles during impact was assumed to be equivalent to the energy loss by an imaginary viscosity given to the balls and mill container. As a result of the simulation by using the three models, it was found that the motion of the milling balls is strongly dependent on the ball charge fraction. With an increase in the ball charge, the impact frequency increased, while an average of impact velocity normal to each contact surface decreased.