Effect of Lubrication on the Improvement of Uniformity in Uniaxial Powder Compaction

Density distribution in powder compact caused by frictional force at die wall has been estimated. The pressure transmission ratio λ was defined for the estimation of the magnitude of frictional force occurrence on die wall. The density gradient α was also defined for the estimation of density distribution. The iron and pre-alloyed stainless steel powder were tested, and the performance of zinc stearate and paraffin wax applied as internal lubricant or die wall lubricant has been investigated in various conditions. The die wall lubrication becomes effective way to increase λ in comparison with the internal lubrication. Admixed lubricant prevents the occurrence of density distribution and uniform green compact is obtained in the critical amount of lubricant. Paraffin wax shows higher performance as a die wall lubricant compared with zinc stearate, and remarkable increase of lubrication effect is observed in the combination between zinc stearate as internal lubricant and paraffin wax as wall lubricant.