EFFECT OF SINTERING TIME AND COOLING RATE ON SINTERHARDENABLE MATERIALS

摘要

Sinter hardening is a cost-effective process that combines sintering and heat treatment in one step. It is known that the cooling rate following sintering greatly affects material microstructures, which determine the final properties of sinter-hardened materials. This study investigated the properties of three sinter-hardenable materials (Cr/Mo pre-alloy, Cu/Mo diffusion bonded and Ni/Mo pre-alloy) at three sintering times and three cooling rates. The objective was to understand how these sintering conditions influence the development of martensite in the microstructure and thereby control the hardness and mechanical properties of materials. This was accomplished through examining the percentage of martensite and microstructural homogeneity.