Determining coefficients of friction in compaction of refractory metal powders

Knowing the coefficients of friction in tool compaction of powders of metals and alloys allows one to rationally design technological equipment for manufacturing powder semifinished products experiencing minimal warping under vacuum or hydrogen sintering. This is of particular significance when consumable electrodes are produced from powders of refractory metals being compacted as rather long fillets that are curved in sintering if any irregularities in the density in the cross section and in the fillet bulk are present. Both well-known and new methods are analyzed for finding the coefficients of friction in powder compaction, in particular in cylindrical containers. Stable and valid measurement results are shown to be unachievable. A new method for experimental determination of the coefficients of friction under powder compaction is described. It consists in comparing the force parameters of one- and two-sided compaction. This method allows finding the coefficient of side pressure and contact friction (on the cylindrical surface of the container) during the formation of briquettes of TsM-2A alloy with different concentrations of plasticizer and solvent. A positive effect of a plasticizer and negative one of a solvent on the coefficient of friction is stated.