Computer simulation of milling ball motion in mechanical alloying (overview)

Abstract

A model simulation of milling-ball motion during mechanical alloying done by the author's group was reviewed. The Kelvin's dashpot-spring model and the discrete element method were employed in the simulation. One, two and three dimensional milling-ball motions for three types of ball milling; vibratory, tumbling and planetary ball milling, were studied. The simulation formalism was first given, which takes into account the translational and rotational motion and three types of forces; visco-elastic, frictional and gravitational force. The whole motion of the milling balls was traced contact by contact. The simulation provided for each of the milling types the ball motion trajectories, impact velocities and frequencies of the balls, as well as the energy consumption during mechanical alloying. The results of the simulation were supported by the experimental observation.