Atmosphere Effect on Dimensional Changes during Sintering of SC 100.26 Iron Powder with Graphite and Copper Additions

摘要

Powder mixture based on SC 100.26 Hoganas grade sponge iron powder containing 0.2-wt.% C and 2-wt.% Cu was investigated. For comparison SC 100.26 powder as delivered and a mixture SC 100.26 + 0.2-wt.% C were also used. The aim of the study was to establish the effect of the alloying additions and sintering atmosphere on sintering behaviour of the chosen iron powder. The evolution of the Fe+0.2C+2Cu alloy and associated dimensional changes were controlled 'in situ' by dilatometry. Sintering swelling caused by copper was almost fully compensated by carbon in case of compacts sintered in nitrogen atmosphere, which resulted in their best dimensional stability among all investigated.