Determination of properties of non-spherical VT20 alloy powders for modelling packing density
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine, Duriagina Z.A. , Lemishka I.A. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine, Kulyk V.V. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine, Hrydova H.A. ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Lviv, Ukraine
Published: December 2020

The study of unfavorable titanium alloy powders of VT20 grades was carried out and the methods of computer analysis were applied to determine the parameters of their optimal packaging. Metallographic studies were performed on a scanning electron microscope EVO-40XVP, and elemental analysis was performed using an energy dispersion spectrometer OXFORD INCA Energy 350. Determination of particle size distribution of powders was performed using image analysis software ImageJ. The surface morphology of non-spherical particles of VT20 alloy powder was studied for three different fractions: 100 ... 160 μm, 160 ... 200 μm and 200 ... 250 μm. It is shown that the powder particles are characterized by a nonspherical shape and a small difference in size. There is a tendency according to which when the particle size of the powder of the investigated alloy decreases, their shape approaches spherical. According to the results of particle size analysis, it was found that the usual sieve analysis does not allow to fully assess the distribution of powder by fractions. It was found that for the fraction 200 ... 250 μm the dominant particles are with an average diameter of 226 μm, for the fraction 160 ... 200 μm - 177 μm and for the fraction 100 ... 160 μm - 114 μm, respectively. Thus, for the fraction of titanium powder of the BT20 brand 200 ... 250 the polydispersity is 6.4%, for the fraction 160 ... 200 - 8.3%, and for the fraction 100 ... 160 - 9.1%. It is established that the fluidity of titanium alloy powders of the BT20 brand is: for the fraction 200 ... 250 μm - 62.35 s, for the fraction 160 ... 200 μm - 65.44 s, and for the fraction 100 ... 160 - 68, 73 s. That is, the highest value of fluidity is characterized by the powder with the largest particle size. Simulation of the pre-defined volume filling was performed using the "Spheres test" program. The average radii of particles of VT20 titanium alloy powder particles and the probability of the sizes of each of fractions of powder which is necessary at filling of the set volume was calculatedthe possibility of their precipitation have been established. Based on the obtained results, the packing density of VT20 titanium alloy powders was calculated depending on their fractional composition. It is confirmed that as the particle size of the powder decreases, their packing density increases. The surface morphology of non-spherical particles of VT20 alloy powder of different fractional composition and their particle size characteristics were studied. It is shown that with decreasing fractional composition of powder fractions, their homogeneity and bulk density increase. It was found that finer fractions are characterized by poorer fluidity. The simulation results determine the optimal fractional composition of the powder to fill the pre-specified volume. It is shown that as the size of the test particles decreases, their packing density increases. Keywords: additive production, titanium, microstructure, particle size distribution, bulk density, fluidity, packing density modelingmodelling.