A new test method for measuring the galling resistance between metal powders and die tool materials in powder compaction

Abstract

The friction characteristics and galling resistance between metal powder and die tool material in metal powder compaction is of outmost importance since they will influence the porosity and surface quality of the green body and consequently the porosity, tolerances and surface quality of the final sintered product. In the present study, a new test method for evaluating the tribological performance of die tool materials aimed for powder compaction is presented. The test method is based on controlled scratch testing using a commercial scratch tester but instead of the commonly used Rockwell C diamond stylus a sample holder with a small green body of compacted powder particles is drawn over the surface in a well controlled multi pass linear reciprocating sliding contact. The capability of the test method was evaluated for different types of tool materials including two PVD coatings in contact with different types of metal powders to determine the friction characteristics and the adhesion and material transfer tendency at the sliding interface. Post-test examination of the tool surfaces using FEG-SEM and EDS were performed in order to evaluate the mechanisms controlling the friction behavior and the material transfer tendency. The results show that the proposed test is a simple and fast method to obtain relevant data regarding the friction and galling characteristics of die tool materials in metal powder compaction. The mechanisms prevailing at the green body/die tool material interface, e.g. cold welding, can easily be monitored by the friction and acoustic emission signals. Of the die tool materials investigated the low friction PVD a-C:Cr coating displayed the lowest friction and highest galling resistance.