Numerical simulation of upsetting a cubic sintered iron powder compact

This paper establishes a mechanical model for sintered powder metal material and simulates the material behavior. Powder metal specimens were compacted, sintered and upset. The relative density and the contour of the specimen were measured. The force displacement relationship during upsetting was recorded. The same upsetting process was simulated with the 3-dimensional finite element method. In simulation, the cubic specimen was treated as a piece of metal embedded with pores. Its overall relative density was controlled via adjusting the concentration of the pores. In the virtual upsetting process, when the pores are compressed, material around the pores will be in touch with each other. This kind of self-contact effect was dealt with the direct contact detecting method. Classical V. Mises principle and isotropic hardening rule were applied on the material. Simulation results agree with experimental results.