Critical Aspects of Delubrication and Sintering of Chromium-alloyed Powder Metallurgy Steels

TL;DRAbstract

The cost efficiency and performance of Powder Metallurgy (PM) steels can be improved by replacing conventionally used alloying elements such as copper and nickel with chromium. Utilizing chromium imposes a challenge in terms of processing due to its effect on powder compressibility and high oxygen affinity, the latter of which, to a certain extent, is dealt with by introducing chromium in prealloyed form that decreases its activity. Therefore, each stage in the PM processing route has to be reconsidered to satisfy the thermodynamic and kinetic requirements to appropriately sinter components based on chromium alloyed steel powder for manufacturing high-performance PM parts. For conventional PM steels, consolidation is typically achieved by compaction, where the final dimensions of the part are achieved, followed by sintering, where metallurgical bonding between the powder particles takes place. To facilitate compaction, powder is mixed with lubricant, which also improves the tool life;

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