A Comparative Study of the Influence of Carbon Introduction Method on the Microstructure of the Sinters Produced from Iron Based Powders

摘要

The influence of the method of carbon introduction at sintering of iron based metal powders (ASC 100.29, Astaloy CrL and Astaloy CrM, Hoeganaes)) on the resultant microstructure of the sinter is studied. Two different methods of carbon introduction in the base powder, as graphite powder and as a hydrocarbon coating deposited on the powder particles, were tested. The processes of the formation and the resultant microstructure of the sinter were studied using Calorimetry and Optical microscopy. The formed micro-structural constituents found in the sinters produced by these two methods arc; discussed. It was established that the sinters produced from coated powders possess finer microstructure with a more uniform distribution of the micro-structural constituents compared to their counterparts produced by the classical approach, premixing of the base powders with graphite.