Modelling powder compaction: From a pressure-density law to continuum mechanics

In this paper, three basic hypotheses are proposed, regarding the effects of porosity and work hardening on powder compaction for building a new pressure-density relation. After a short validation on some hard powders, complementary hypotheses are used for generalising the density description as a function of hydrostatic pressure and deviatory stress. The model is then tested using triaxial characterisations from another author. Lastly, it is shown that the modelling parameters, to which a physical meaning is given, can be determined from two simple experiments, such as isostatic compaction and die pressing. This represents a drastic saving in time for characterising the compaction behaviour of hard powder.