Optimization Of Nitrogen/Hydrogen Sintering Atmosphere Composition For Carbon Steel

摘要

Nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres are routinely used to produce sintered car-bon steel components with consistent quality, close dimensional tolerances, and good wear resistance. If used improperly, however, these atmospheres can lead to severe surface decarburization and loss in surface hardness of carbon steel components. Both effects are undesirable because they reduce the components' wear resistance. Fortunately, these undesirable effects can be minimized arid even eliminated by carefully selecting and controlling the composition of hydrogen in the nitrogen-hydrogen sintering atmosphere. This paper describes the optimum composition of nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres required for sintering carbon steel components with good quality and strength, while minimizing surface decarburization and loss in surface hardness.