Influences of powder compaction constitutive models on the finite element simulation of hot isostatic pressing

Hot isostatic pressing (HIPing) is a promising near net-shape manufacturing technology that can be employed for fabrication of complex parts out of metal powders. Design of tooling/canister that allows net-shape HIPing is still based on expensive experimental try-outs and subsequent iterations to modify the initial canister geometry. An auspicious alternative approach is finite element (FE) simulation. However, the FE results are strongly dependant on the implemented powder metal constitutive model. The current research shed the light on finite element analysis of HIPing process, based on steel 316L powder, using three different constitutive models namely; CAM-Clay, modified Drucker-Prager and modified Drucker-Prager with creep. Comparison with experimentally deformed final geometry and densification history of the HIPed material were carried out. Discrepancies in predicted final geometry dimensions were ranging from 1% to 6.34% compared to experimental trials. Drucker-Prager with creep constitutive model showed the highest accuracy in final geometry predictions with relative error of 1.5∼4.8%.