Three-dimensional combined finite-discrete element approach for simulation of single layer powder compaction process

The application of a combined finite-discrete element modeling approach to simulate the three-dimensional microscopic compaction behavior of single-layer metal powder system was described. The process was treated as a static problem, with kinematical component being neglected. Due to ill condition, Cholesky's method failed to solve the system equations, while conjugate gradient method was tried and yielded good results. Deformation of the particles was examined and compared with the results of physical modeling experiments. In both cases, the inner particles were deformed from sphere to polygonal column, with the edges turning from arc to straight line. The edge number of a particle was equal to the number of particles surrounding it. And the experiments show that the ductile metal particles can be densified only by their plastic deformation without the occurrence of rearrangement phenomenon.