Mapping Particle Size Distributions into Predictions of Properties for Powder Metal Compacts

Discrete element analysis is used to map various log-normal particle size distributions into measures of the in-sphere pore size distribution. Combinations evaluated range from monosized spheres to include bimodal mixtures and various log-normal distributions. The latter proves most useful in providing a mapping of one distribution into the other (knowing the particle size distribution we want to predict the pore size distribution). Such metrics show predictions where the presence of large pores is anticipated that need to be avoided to ensure high sintered properties.