Numerical Simulation of Electro-Thermo-Mechanical Phenomena During Resistance Sintering

Resistance-sintering can be used in a powder metallurgy process as the heating step toconsolidate a metallic compact previously obtained by pressing a powder-alloy. This fast-sintering process consolidates electrically conductive powders by simultaneous application ofpressure and electrical current. An electro-thermo-mechanical model has been developed tosimulate an industrial process involving silver-based electrical contacts composites. A transientnumerical approach is used to solve this strong coupled problem. Specific laws, establishedthanks to extensive experimental characterizations, are implemented to describe the physicalproperties evolutions and the mechanical behavior of the composites during sintering. Finally,the numerical model is able to predict the dimensions and properties of the final sintered part.