This study deals with the quantitative evaluation of the machinability of s
intered steels during drilling operations. A characterisation technique usi
ng scanning electron microscopy and image analysis was developed to charact
erise quantitatively the amount of flank wear on drillbits. It was shown ex
perimentally, using a drilling test bench, that the evolution of flank wear
was proportional to the rate of variation of the thrust force as measured
during drilling. Thus. the results show that the slope of the linear region
measured on the curve of the thrust Force upsilon the amount of material r
emoved is a more accurate criterion to characterise the machinability of PM
products than the average thrust force, which is often suggested in the li
terature.
Furthermore, the effect of the technique used to add MnS to PM powders was
investigated. Quantitative characterisation of machinability during drillin
g operations showed that parts made with steel powders of the type FC-0208
+ 0.5 wt-% MnS machine better when the manganese sulphide particles are pre
alloyed rather than admired. Finally, machinability of parts made with two
sinter hardening powders was characterised including a pre-alloyed MnS powd
er. The results showed that the 'drillability' of this type of part is impr
oved when they are in the presintered state rather than when they are in th
e green state, i.e. unsintered. Moreover, parts made with the sinter harden
ing powder pre-alloyed with manganese sulphide particles (MnS) showed super
ior machinability characteristics.