• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Accurate and effective powder compaction analyses are performed for brittle materials such as graphite, utilized as a solid lubricant, by using the discrete element method (DEM). The reliability of the DEM analysis is confirmed by comparing the results of graphite powder compaction analyses using the DEM particle bonding contact model and particle non-bonding contact model with those from the powder compaction experiment under the same conditions. To improve the characteristics, the parameters influencing the compaction properties of the metal-graphite mixtures are explored. The compressibility increases as the size distribution of the graphite powder increases, where the shape of the graphite particles is uniform. The improved compaction characteristics of the metal-graphite (bonding model) mixtures are further verified by the stress transmission and compressive force distribution between the top and bottom punches. It is confirmed that the application of graphite (bonding model) powders resulted in improved stress transmission and compressive force distribution of 24% and 85%, respectively.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.300-304
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• 2020

In this paper, a durability study is presented to enhance the mechanical properties of an Fe-Si-Al powder-based magnetic core, through the addition of graphite. The compressive properties of Fe-Si-Al-graphite powder mixtures are explored using discrete element method (DEM), and a powder compaction experiment is performed under identical conditions to verify the reliability of the DEM analysis. Important parameters for powder compaction of Fe-Si-Al-graphite powder mixtures are identified. The compressibility of the powders is observed to increase as the amount of graphite mixture increases and as the size of the graphite powders decreases. In addition, the compaction properties of the Fe-Si-Al-graphite powder mixtures are further explored by analyzing the transmissibility of stress between the top and bottom punches as well as the distribution of the compressive force. The application of graphite powders is confirmed to result in improved stress transmission and compressive force distribution, by 24% and 51%, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.29-37
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• 2000

At present there are many theories as to how various lubricants used in forging perform the role of reducing friction. Little work has been carried out to determine the validity of these theories for solid lubricants. This paper covers the development and preliminary results of the experiments devised to illustrate the movement of graphite at the workpiece/tool interface in the work forging temperature range. The paper describes the results obtained from upsetting of rings between two flat dies for measurement of lubricant thickness and compaction of graphite for density-pressure relationship. These allowed the lubricant to be exposed to forging conditions and by applying the principles of Male's ring test the simple generation of a value fur friction factor could also be determined. The experiments have been undertaken to examine the behavior of lubricant for shot blasted surface and change of surface roughness. A simple computer model of the interface has been constructed characterizing the graphite layer in an attempt to simulate the boundary mechanics.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2005.06a
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• pp.248-251
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• 2005

Graphite reinforced conductive polymer composites for PEMFC bipolar plates were fabricated by the compression molding technique. Graphite powder was mixed with an phenol resin to impart electrical property in composites. In this study, conductive polymer composites with high filler $loadings(>60wt.\%)$ were manufactured to accomplish high electrical conductivity above 100S/cm. The level of compaction is important because graphite powder increase electrical conductivity of composites by direct physical contact between particles. The optimum molding pressure according to filler was proposed experimentally. Various tests(electrical conductivity, flexural strength, compressive strength, leach test, etc) were carried out to verify the performance of fabricated composites for PEMFC bipolar plates. Fabricated composites have good electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. The results of leach test and contact angle measurement showed similar characteristics compared with commercial bipolar plates.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.295-296
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• 2006

High hardness of P/M parts can be obtained in the cooling section of the sintering furnace by using sinter hardenable materials, thus the post-sintering heat treatment can be eliminated. However, the sinter hardened materials would have difficulties in secondary machining if it is required, which will limit the applications of sinter hardenable materials in the machined parts. Recent development in warm compaction technology can enable us not only to achieve the high green density up to $7.4\;g/cm^3$, but also the high green strength which is needed for green machining. Therefore by using warm compaction technology, the green machining can be applied to sinter hardenable materials for the high density, strength and hardness P/M parts. In the present study, a pre-alloyed steel powder, ATOMET4601, was used by mixing with 2.0% copper, 1.0% nickel, 0.9% graphite and a proprietary lubricant using a binder treatment process - FLOMET. The specimens were compacted and green machined with different machining parameters. The machined surface finish and part integrity were evaluated in selecting the optimal conditions for green machining. The possibility of applying the green machining to the high-density structural parts was explored.

• Journal of Industrial Technology
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• v.27 no.B
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• pp.137-144
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• 2007

Sintering condition and various chemical composition of bond materials for micro-blades were studied. The methods mixing of pure powders and using pre-alloyed powders for compaction and sintering were compared and optimized in terms of the evaluation of bending strength and fractographic study. The effect of the amount of graphite as a lubricant and diamond abrasive on the strength of sintered bond materials and fracture toughness was investigated. The strength decreased with increasing the amount of graphite and diamond abrasive.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.373-380
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the densification behavior and the corresponding microstructural evolution of tantalum and tantalum-tungsten alloy powders for explosively formed liners. The inherent inhomogeneous microstructures of tantalum manufactured by an ingot metallurgy might degrade the capability of the warhead. Therefore, to overcome such drawbacks, powder metallurgy was incorporated into the near-net shape process in this study. Spark plasma-sintered tantalum and its alloys with finer particle sizes exhibited higher densities and lower grain sizes. However, they were contaminated from the graphite mold during sintering. Higher compaction pressures in die and isostatic compaction techniques also enhanced the sinterability of the tantalum powders; however, a full densification could not be achieved. On the other hand, the powders exhibited full densification after being subjected to hot isostatic pressing over two times. Consequently, it was found that the hot isostatic-pressed tantalum might exhibit a lower grain size and a higher density as compared to those obtained in previous studies.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.3589-3592
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• 2012

Carbon composite bipolar plates with various carbon black contents were prepared by a compression molding method. The electrical conductivity and electrochemical stability of the bipolar plates have been evaluated. It is found that the electrical conductivity increases with increasing carbon black contents up to 15 wt %. When the carbon black contents are greater than 15 wt %, the electrical conductivity decreases because of a poor compatibility between epoxy resin and carbon black, and a weakening of compaction in the carbon composite bipolar plate. Based on the results, it could be concluded that there are optimum carbon black contents when preparing the carbon composite bipolar plate. Corrosion tests show that the carbon composite bipolar plate with 15 wt % carbon black exhibits better electrochemical stability than a graphite bipolar plate under a highly acidic condition. When the optimized carbon composite bipolar plate is applied to vanadium redox flow cells, the performance of flow cells with the carbon composite bipolar plate is comparable to that of flow cells with the graphite bipolar plate.

• Corrosion Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

The corrosion behaviors of 316L stainless steel were investigated in simulated anodic and cathodic environments for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by using electrochemical measurement techniques. Interfacial contact resistance(ICR) between the stainless steel and gas diffusion layer(GDL) was also measured. The possibility of 316L was evaluated as a substitute material for the graphite bipolar plate of PEMFC. The value of ICR decreased with an increase in compaction stress(20 N/$cm^2$~220 N/$cm^2$) showing the higher values than the required value in PEMFC condition. Although 316L was spontaneously passivated in simulated cathodic environment, its passive state was unstable in simulated anodic environment. Potentiostatic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement results showed that the corrosion resistance in cathodic condition was higher and more stable than that in anodic condition. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and inductively coupled plasma(ICP) were used to analyze the surface morphology and the metal ion concentration in electrolytes.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.25-37
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• 2002

The most important industrial application of gamma radiation in characterizing green compacts is the determination of the density. Examples are given where this method is applied in manufacturing technical components in powder metallurgy. The requirements imposed by modern quality management systems and operation by the workforce in industrial production are described. The accuracy of measurement achieved with this method is demonstrated and a comparison is given with other test methods to measure the density. The advantages and limitations of gamma ray densitometry are outlined. The gamma ray densitometer measures the attenuation of gamma radiation penetrating the test parts (Fig. 1). As the capability of compacts to absorb this type of radiation depends on their density, the attenuation of gamma radiation can serve as a measure of the density. The volume of the part being tested is defined by the size of the aperture screeniing out the radiation. It is a channel with the cross section of the aperture whose length is the height of the test part. The intensity of the radiation identified by the detector is the quantity used to determine the material density. Gamma ray densitometry can equally be performed on green compacts as well as on sintered components. Neither special preparation of test parts nor skilled personnel is required to perform the measurement; neither liquids nor other harmful substances are involved. When parts are exhibiting local density variations, which is normally the case in powder compaction, sectional densities can be determined in different parts of the sample without cutting it into pieces. The test is non-destructive, i.e. the parts can still be used after the measurement and do not have to be scrapped. The measurement is controlled by a special PC based software. All results are available for further processing by in-house quality documentation and supervision of measurements. Tool setting for multi-level components can be much improved by using this test method. When a densitometer is installed on the press shop floor, it can be operated by the tool setter himself. Then he can return to the press and immediately implement the corrections. Transfer of sample parts to the lab for density testing can be eliminated and results for the correction of tool settings are more readily available. This helps to reduce the time required for tool setting and clearly improves the productivity of powder presses. The range of materials where this method can be successfully applied covers almost the entire periodic system of the elements. It reaches from the light elements such as graphite via light metals (AI, Mg, Li, Ti) and their alloys, ceramics ($AI_20_3$, SiC, Si_3N_4, $Zr0_2$, ...), magnetic materials (hard and soft ferrites, AlNiCo, Nd-Fe-B, ...), metals including iron and alloy steels, Cu, Ni and Co based alloys to refractory and heavy metals (W, Mo, ...) as well as hardmetals. The gamma radiation required for the measurement is generated by radioactive sources which are produced by nuclear technology. These nuclear materials are safely encapsulated in stainless steel capsules so that no radioactive material can escape from the protective shielding container. The gamma ray densitometer is subject to the strict regulations for the use of radioactive materials. The radiation shield is so effective that there is no elevation of the natural radiation level outside the instrument. Personal dosimetry by the operating personnel is not required. Even in case of malfunction, loss of power and incorrect operation, the escape of gamma radiation from the instrument is positively prevented.