Production and properties of brass-base P/M constructional materials. A review

Abstract

The best processing properties are exhibited by brass powders manufactured by the diffusional impregnation technique, using a zinc powder, brass swarf, or a copper-zinc master alloy as a point source. However, as this is a very labor-intensive process, normally preference should be given to melt atomization as a method of manufacture of brass powders. Brass P/M parts produced by the conventional method consisting of pressing a powder and sintering the resultant compacts have porosities of not less than 7–10%, and consequently this method is not widely used for the production of constructional brass parts. The sintering of compacts from copper and copper-zinc master alloy powders gives more stable zinc contents compared with the sintering of compacts from copper and zinc powders; the greatest stability of chemical composition is exhibited by sintered compacts from a homogenized brass powder. The formation of diffusional porosity accompanying the evaporation of zinc may be prevented by performing sintering in the presence of a liquid phase (which appears in the presence of a phosphorus or lead addition), saturating the sintering atmosphere with zinc vapor, and adding carbonates or halides of alkali and rare-earth metals to starting powders. The mechanical properties of materials can be markedly improved by eliminating their porosity. This may be achieved by subjecting porous preforms to hot forging, which enables brass P/M parts to be obtained whose mechanical properties are comparable to those of cast parts.