Specific Features of High-Voltage Consolidation of Powders: Theoretical and Experimental Study

The fundamental aspects of the process of high-voltage consolidation of powder materials, as well as its advantages and limits, are discussed in this study. In this respect, the electrothermal processes at the contacts between powder particles (mesoscale), and also at the macroscale of the total volume of the consolidated sample, are investigated. Moreover, the dynamics of interparticle pore closure (collapse) in the consolidated material are calculated. The results of HVC experiments of difficult-to-sinter tungsten-based alloys are presented. The macro- and microstructure examinations of consolidated specimens, as well as stress-strain tests, are also evaluated. Compression tests show that all tested alloys can withstand compressive stress without failure at room temperature. In particular, a criterion for determining the range of technological variables for the fabrication of high-density samples is described. Finally, a promising future research area for this approach is proposed.