An X-ray density measuring technique is used to generate a grey scale map of the density profile through diepressed green ceramic bodies. A direct correlation is observed between local green density variations and the porosity within the fired body. This correlation is interpreted in terms of the mechanism of densification within the agglomerated powder body. During compaction of the green body, increased agglomerate rearrangement and shearing occurs along die walls and punch surfaces due to the increased frictional forces imposed on the powder in these regions. This typically generates regions of higher density within the green body. These regions of high green density are shown to correlate with higher fired densities in the final product.
