The microstructure and hardness of molybdenum powders consolidated by plasma pressure compaction

Bulk molybdenum samples were prepared by consolidating molybdenum powders using the technique of plasma pressure compaction (P2C). The specimens were obtained by consolidating the powder particles under conditions of pulse and no-pulse and at two different temperatures. Results reveal that pulsing of the powders prior to consolidation had little influence on microhardness when compared to the samples that were obtained by consolidating the powder particles under no-pulse. Both nanohardness and microhardness measurements revealed a marginal decrease with an increase in temperature of compaction. The influence of processing variables on microstructural development and hardness is presented and discussed.