Particle movement during the deep penetration of a granular material studied by X-ray microtomography

Three-dimensional X-ray microtomography has been employed to trace the movement of aluminium powder during transfer, brought about by the lowering of a punch into a cylindrical die containing an uncompacted aluminium/tin powder blend. In tracking the tin marker particles, image correlation enabled the determination of powder transfer mechanisms around the punch. The method/technique is applicable to the study of the powder processing of metal and ceramic powders.