Computational Alloy Design for Process-Related Uncertainties in Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

An integrated computational materials engineering approach to the design of alloys for supersolidus liquid phase sintering has been developed. The method aims to minimize the sensitivity of the alloys to variabilities in material (e.g., composition) and process parameters (e.g., temperature) during sintering while also maximizing mechanical properties. This is achieved by developing a fast acting and high throughput design models that can quantify the processability and the resulting mechanical properties. A highly processable alloy is defined as one that is tolerant to both composition and process conditions such that changes in either do not materially affect the alloy properties. The design models are validated using experimental data from the literature and the computational design approach is demonstrated by designing unique high-speed steels with enhanced processability for powder metallurgy.