Numerical Analysis of Compression Properties of the Binary Mixture of Powder with Different Particle Plasticities

Abstract

Powder compression is the process of obtaining pellets by directly applying pressure to powder beds. The densification phenomenon involving the plastic deformation of particles is still unclear. In this study, the powder compression process of the binary mixture of powder with different plasticity was calculated by using the discrete element method incorporating Edinburgh elasto-plastic adhesion model. The macroscopic and microscopic powder properties were evaluated in the conditions of different volume fraction plastic powders. The calculation method of contact plasticity between elastic and plastic particles, which was proposed in this study, was validated by the data of experimental comparison tests. The result of this study indicated that particle plasticity strongly affected the powder properties, especially contact area inside the powder bed. We hope that this study will be useful for applications where the contact area inside the powder bed is important, such as batteries.