Admixing Fe-Cu-Ni master alloys to steel powders to improve sinter hardenability and the mechanical properties of sinter hardened parts

摘要

Admixing elemental copper and nickel to steel powders is often used to improve the mechanical properties of P/M parts. Copper liquefies at typical sintering temperatures and diffuses into the steel particles. Nickel additions do not melt during sintering and consequently often leave nickel rich areas in the final microstructure. High temperature sintering increases nickel diffusion and mechanical properties. In this work, ternary iron, copper and nickel alloys were elaborated and admixed to steel powders to promote nickel diffusion at a given sintering temperature thus improving sinter hardenability and mechanical properties of sinter hardened steel parts.