Open Access Conference Proceedings

Study of structural and mechanical physical properties of metal powders is important considering the processes in powder metallurgy. The procedural behavior of copper, iron and aluminum powders depends on many parameters. Therefore metal powders are most thoroughly characterized with size, shape and distribution of particles. In this research work the attention is paid not only to properties of individual particles, but also their collective, volume mechanical and physical quantities such as flowability, aeration of powders or compression. For the samples of copper, iron and aluminum powder has been determined particle size distribution, particles shape and surface topography of the sample using the EDF Z profile (extended depth of field) in connection with their mechanical and physical properties. The smooth, spherical aluminum particles show without one degree, the angle of internal friction so called "Ideal bulk material", unlike the iron powder with grains of rugged structure with internal friction angle of 43°. These way defined Fe particles with distinct ruggedness of surface show a low degree of compressibility or any other method of formation. In the field of aeration it is difficult fluidisable powder. This demonstrates not only the material classification into group B according to Geldart, but also the aeration test result itself. 3D microscopic evaluation of copper powder particles shape has been defined as micro leaf-shaped. The Cu sample corresponds with pronounced compressibility 4.6%.

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