Studies on hot deformation of sintered cobalt

Abstract

The hot deformation behavior of sintered cobalt powder was studied. The Co powder prepared by thermal decomposition of cobalt oxalate was subsequently compacted by cold isostatic pressing (CIP) and sintered at 1300 °C under H2 atmosphere. Cobalt rods of 95 pct theoretical density were obtained. Strain rate change tests in compression were conducted in the temperature range of 900 °C to 1300 °C by changing strain rates from 0.001 to 3.2 s−1. Uninterrupted hot compression tests at constant strain rates and selective temperatures were also conducted. Microcracks as well as surface cracks were observed in the samples tested below 1200 °C. It was observed that the strain rate sensitivity (SRS) increased with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate, with the maximum SRS of 0.3 being obtained at 1285 °C and strain rate of 10−3 s−1. Despite the higher SRS at low strain rates, the hot workability of sintered cobalt was found to be poor. Extensive grain boundary microcracking was observed, with the density being lowered after deformation. However, the samples tested at higher strain rates showed less microcracking and an increase in density. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that ease of grain boundary sliding at lower strain rates and higher temperatures was responsible for the poor workability at these conditions.