Powder technology

Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM

© Fraunhofer IWM

We use innovative material models to numerically simulate the processing stages involved in the manufacture of powder technology components, and optimize them with the aid of these results. This then shortens development times for the manufacture of dimensionally accurate and crack-free components and saves costs. The materials investigated range from the standard powder metallurgy materials such as sintered steel and hard metals, to technical and domestic ceramics or pharmaceutical powders and refractory metals.

Services

  • Simulation of powder technology processes: die filling and compaction, isostatic pressing, tape casting, extrusion, drying, debinding, sintering, final surface treatment.
  • Prediction of component warpage and local stresses in sintered components.
  • Linking of entire process chains (e.g. filling – pressing – debinding - sintering).
  • Multi-scale simulations for virtual process optimization.
  • Development of material models related to specific applications.
  • Simulation of granular media (transport and filling processes).
  • Simulation complex liquids (e.g. ceramic slurries).
  • Application of continuum mechanics (FEM, SPH = smoothed particle hydrodynamics) and discrete element (DEM) simulation methods.
  • Determination of model parameters.