Studies on the electric discharge compaction of metal powders

Consolidation and densification of metal powder are usually attained by compaction followed by prolonged high-temperature sintering or by hot pressing. However, these methods are not suitable where grain growth is to be avoided. So electric discharge compaction is being studied so as to establish a fast, cheap, and reproducible process. In this process, high current pulse for a few millisecond duration is passed through metal powder compacts held under pressure in a die. This paper gives the details of the investigation being carried out to establish the process parameters for the densification of titanium, tin and zinc powders. Remarkable improvements in the density and microstructure are noticed after subjection to the electric discharge.