OPTIMIZATION OF NITROGEN HYDROGEN SINTERING ATMOSPHERE COMPOSITION FOR CARBON-STEEL

Nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres are routinely used to produce sintered c arbon steel components with consistent quality, close dimensional tole rances, and good wear resistance. If used improperly, however, these a tmospheres can lead to severe surface decarburization and loss in surf ace hardness of carbon steel components. Both effects are undesirable because they reduce the components' wear resistance. Fortunately, thes e undesirable effects can be minimized and even eliminated by carefull y selecting and controlling the composition of hydrogen in the nitroge n-hydrogen sintering atmosphere. This paper describes the optimum comp osition of nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres required for sintering carbon steel components with good quality and strength, while minimizing sur face decarburization and loss in surface hardness.