Densification behavior and grain growth of tool steel powder under high temperature

Densification behavior and grain growth of tool steel powder compacts are investigated under pressureless sintering, sinter forging and hot isostatic pressing. Experimental data are compared with finite element calculations by using the constitutive models of Abouaf and co-workers and of McMeeking and co-workers. Grain growth of tool steel powder compacts during densification is also investigated by using the grain growth equation proposed by Abouaf and co-workers. In sinter forging, finite element calculations by both models somewhat overestimate experimental data. In hot isostatic pressing, finite element calculations for densification and deformation of the powder compact agree reasonably well with experimental data. The shielding effect of the container during hot isostatic pressing is also studied. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgica Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.