Study of sinterability of bronze and phosphorus bronze steels

The sinterability of different alloyed steels was studied by dilatometry at different temperatures. Iron and two amounts of graphite powders (0.3 and 0.7%) were used as raw materials for the base steels. Three levels (2, 5 an d 8%) of bronze and phosphorus bronze (promoting Liquid phase) were employe d as alloying additions. All the materials were compacted at 700 MPa. The s intering study by dilatometry was made in 95%N-2-5%H-2 atmosphere. Five dif ferent temperatures were: austenizing temperature, initial temperature of s welling, temperature of liquid phase forming, temperature at which maximum rate of deformation takes place, and initial temperature of shrinkage. With these temperatures, the optimum point of sinterability was determinated in each steel. Finally, all the materials were sintered at six different temp eratures (910, 950, 990, 1030, 1070 and 1110 degreesC) in the same atmosphe re to obtain the sinterability plots (sintering density vs. temperature). ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.