Effect of interparticle potentials on particle packing for ceramic processing

Engineering shapes made of ceramics are first formed as powder compacts which are made dense by a heat treatment. High packing densities are desired, but more critically, powders must pack with a uniform density despite pressure gradients within the die cavity. As reviewed below, short- or long-range repulsive interparticle potentials that persist during packing enable ceramic powders to pack to high, pressure insensitive, relative densities. To appreciate how interparticle potentials effect particle packing, this review will first discuss how one develops different interparticle potentials, the relation between particle size distribution and the maximum packing density, and the mechanics of particle packing, viz., particle rearrangement during pressure consolidation.