Abstract
AbstractThe precision of parts produced by Powder Metallurgy (PM) strongly depends on the careful design of PM process parameters. Among them, high sintering temperature is generally considered as detrimental for dimensional and geometrical precision, and therefore neglected in industrial production. Nevertheless, high sintering temperature would strongly improve mechanical characteristics of PM parts, so that the real influence of high sintering temperature on dimensional and geometrical precision is of great interest for PM companies. This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature (up to 1350 °C) on dimensional and geometrical precision of real parts. Dimensional changes on sintering and the effect of sintering temperature have been evaluated. Geometrical characteristics have been measured both in the green and in the sintered state, and the real influence of sintering temperature has been highlighted. As a conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the larger shrinkage due to the high sintering temperature is not detrimental with respect to the dimensional precision, being it reliably predictable. Moreover, the influence on geometrical characteristics is unexpectedly low. The encouraging results of this study convinced the main PM companies in Europe to further investigate the influence of high sintering temperature, as partners in a Club Project within the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA).
Highlights
Dimensional and geometrical precision is one of the most interesting characteristics of Powder Metallurgy (PM) parts, strongly depending on the proper design of the PM process parameters [1–3]
This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature on dimensional and geometrical precision of real parts
Dimensional change is almost unaffected by size for diameters, while for height dimensional change tends to increase on increasing height, and the trend is evident in Part 1
Summary
Dimensional and geometrical precision is one of the most interesting characteristics of Powder Metallurgy (PM) parts, strongly depending on the proper design of the PM process parameters [1–3]. Dimensional and geometrical precision of green parts is generally very good and may get worse during sintering. Sintering temperature is one of the most critical variables, determining the shrinkage (or swelling) of green parts [4, 5]. The larger shrinkage combined with the possible deformation of the parts due to the phenomena occurring at high temperature (creep, viscous flow, phase transformation...) may negatively influence the dimensional and geometrical precision. Better understanding the real effect of high sintering temperature on dimensional and geometrical precision is a priority for PM companies
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