EFFECT OF THE COPPER AMOUNT IN IRON-BASED POWDER-METAL COMPACTS

摘要

In this study, iron-based powder-metal (PM) compacts were sintered using a medium-frequency induction-heating system. The effects of copper amounts on mechanical properties were investigated. Iron-based powders were mixed with mass fractions w = 1 % to 6 % copper (Cu) and 0.8 % zinc stearate in a V-type mixer. During the sintering process, PM compacts were sintered at a frequency of 30-50 kHz (medium frequency), at 12 kW and 1120 degrees C for 400 s in an atmospheric environment. Mechanical properties, microstructural properties, densities and microhardness values were investigated for the sintered material. The highest mechanical properties were obtained for the iron-based PM compacts including 3 % Cu.