Consolidation of iron powder by electrical discharge

Capacitor electrical discharge consolidation (CEDC) is a technique that uses the heat of Joule effect high intensity electric current to consolidate powders. In this study, precompaction pressure and number discharges on porosity, microstructure hardness compacts analysed. Furthermore, sintering results iron powders obtained through conventional route (cold pressing furnace sintering) by CEDC are compared. Experiments show at low initial pressures powder column has necessary resistance produce joule for consolidation. At an 200 MPa porosity specimens decreases from 0.32 0.24, Vickers microhardness increases HV10 29 51 after 50 discharges.