platekomprimering

Platekompression, or plate compression, is the process of applying a controlled compressive load to a material sample placed between two flat, parallel platens. The aim is to deform, densify, or shape the material in a predictable way. The method is widely used in both material testing and manufacturing contexts.

In practice, a hydraulic or mechanical press drives the upper platen toward the lower one, and the sample—often in the shape of a disk or plate—sits between them. Force, displacement, and sometimes temperature are controlled and recorded. To achieve uniform contact and minimize edge effects, platen faces may be lubricated or polished, and alignment checked. Friction between the sample and platens can influence results, so corrections are sometimes applied.

Materials commonly processed or tested by plate compression include metals, ceramics, polymers, and powder blends. In powder metallurgy, the technique densifies powders into cohesive bodies; in testing, it yields stress–strain data and information about elastic, plastic, and failure behavior. For dense, flat samples, quantitative analysis uses plate area to calculate stress, while thickness reduction indicates plastic flow and densification.

Variants exist, such as uniaxial compression of circular plates, hot or cold pressing, and isostatic methods that use flexible membranes to apply pressure more uniformly. Plate compression remains a fundamental tool for characterizing material properties, producing test coupons, and forming components where simple, flat geometry is advantageous.

See also: compression testing, universal testing machine, powder compaction, hot pressing, isostatic pressing.