Carbonitriding Treatment Applied To PIM Elaborated Parts

摘要

The originality of the present work consists on the integration of a thermochemical treatment (low pressure carbonitriding) to the sintering stage of Powder Injection Moulding (PIM) manufacturing process. The capability of PIM to mould small precision components will be combined with the interest of surface treatment. The application will be developed on cheap low carbon steel in order to produce a part with a hard surface and a ductile core. Bringing together these two techniques will enable: √ To be in agreement with policy of sustainable development since PIM manufacture uses 100% of the raw material. √ An alternative to traditional manufacturing process using steels containing environmentally unfriendly elements (like lead for an enhanced machining) √ An answer to industrial sectors requests: mechanical parts with material properties gradient. This contribution will focus on preliminary results. The feasibility to simultaneously carry out sintering and thermochemical treatment will be highlighted.