Dynamic Consolidation of Ceramic Powders: Practicalities, Problems, and Prospects

Abstract

ABSTRACTI present an assessment of the technological potential ofshock wave consolidationof ceramic powders as a technique for producing well-bonded, uniform, crack-free monoliths. Current compaction methods are briefly reviewed and the characteristics of the consolidated material are presented. The shock and release histories experienced by powder compacts in simple compaction assemblies are complex and I conclude that such simple assemblies are unlikely to yield structurally sound bodies. Control of the stress history over the entire loading cycle is necessary if the tensile stresses which develop during release are to be reduced to acceptable levels. Such exacting control is difficult to achieve, and becomes increasingly difficult as the peak stresses are increased. The powder must therefore be sufficiently plastic at moderate stresses to permit densification and bonding of the compact without destruction of the compact during release. Not all ceramic powders will satisfy this criterion. Local microstructural modification, including interfacial melting, is limited by the fine particle sizes and large surface areas of many ceramic powders. Production of cohesive, crack-free bodies thus depends upon a complex interplay between shock history, material properties, and powder characteristics which is poorly understood. I conclude that the technology of dynamic consolidation of ceramic powders will be difficult to develop and will have limited applications.