Radchenko O. Creating science & technology fundamentals for producing multi-component powder systems and simplification of the process of making a finite product and also improving its performance and materials

Science & Technology fundamentals have been created relative to forming multi-component systems and improving the compact quality. The molecular, chemical and mechanical constituents that contribute the compact strength at different pressing temperatures have been first evaluated due to the use of powders which simulated cold (Mo, FeSi), warm (Cu, Ni) or hot (Sn, Zn) temperature conditions at normal formation condition. The mechanical interaction between the contacts was confirmed as decisive contribution to the compact strength. For pure powders and their mixtures, a comprehensive characteristic of compacting capability has been first formulated that includes compactibility rank as geometric criterion and strength index as strength criterion. The stength index was found to be influenced by the compacting temperature conditions, material and particle shape, whereas the compactibility rank is only influenced by the relative bulk density of the powder. The use of the compactibility rank enabled optimization of the powder processing conditions to improve their compacting capability. Optimal relationships between the brittle component and the plastic component of compacts prepared from powders by pressing and rolling techniques have been theoretically substantiated and experimentally established. It was shown that the optimal relashionship between the brittle and the plastic constituents depended on the volume ratio of components being in the elastic/brittle and elastic/plastic (or plastic) states during their formation. The formulated principles were used as baseline for the development of the technology of manufacturing of complex composite modifying agents of new generation that include lightweight components and enable simultaneous modification, microalloying and deacidification of the Fe-C system alloys beyond the furnace. The rolling process for ceramic powders together with binder using the gravy-type method of feeding has been further developing. The gauge coefficient of rolled products prepared from such powders was found to be enlarged by 3 to 3.5 times in comparison to the metal powder range rolled at other conditions being similar.