Learning Objectives:

1. Describe a powder fabrication process from starting reagent to finished powder. interpret a particle size distribution and estimate mean particle size and specific surface area from the data.

2. Review an ASTM standard for particulate materials characterization.

3. Describe the role of van der Waals interactions in determining structure on the colloidal and macroscopic length scales.

4. Differentiate between processing routes more favorable for processing bulk materials versus routes geared towards processing thin films.

5. Describe when it is appropriate to process dry powders versus processing powders suspended in a liquid medium.

6. Calculate the packing density of bimodal particle size distributions and describe the difference between calculated values and what one might expect to observe in experimental measurements.

7. Describe the effects of particle agglomeration on interparticle forces and the packing density of powder compacts.

8. Calculate the particle size at which gravitational segregation becomes significant during aqueous colloidal processing.

9. Describe how segregation effects may be minimized during aqueous colloidal processing and any advantages and disadvantages associated with the modified process.

10. Describe the effects of interparticle forces on powder compact homogeneity and subsequent effects on compact densification.

11. Describe the effects of furnace atmosphere on the density, the specific surface area, and the microstructure of a powder compact.

Description: 

Processing of engineering materials from powders. Synthesis of metals, ceramics, and polymers in powder form. Characteristics of particulates. Behavior of collections of particles; surface forces, particle agglomeration and dispersion, gelation, particle packing. Consolidation of powders; mechanics of dry flow and compaction, slurry rheology, shaping processes. Densification and microstructural development; geometry, thermodynamics, and kinetics of sintering, liquid-phase sintering, reaction densification, infiltration. Powder processing of composites.

Syllabus:  MSE (WL) 51200 001 Powder Processing - Simple Syllabus

Homework:  

Graded homework due every 2 to 3 weeks,  a term paper on an aspect of powder processing or characterization of the student’s choice, and a short presentation on the term paper topic in a webinar or optional in-class format, TBD, depending on class size.

Projects: 

A short paper (including some analysis) on a propulsion system of interest to the student is required.

Exams:

One midterm exam, final exam

Textbooks:

Introduction to Particle Technology

ISBN: 9780470014271

Authors: Martin Rhodes

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Publication Date: 2008

*Available online from Purdue Libraries