Sinteraustempering of two Mo-(Cu)-(Cr)-(Ni)-(Mn)-C steels in a semi-closed container in flowing nitrogen

Abstract

Three types of heat treatment, sinteraustempering in 500°C, 400°C and 350°C; sinterhardening and sintering with cooling at the rate 10K/min) as the final operation, on steels sintered semi-closed container were investigated. Results of mechanical properties, microstructure investigations and fracture and EDX analyses are reported. The study involved two PM steels: DH-1 (Fe-2%Cu-1.5%Mo-0.5%C) and 34HNM (Fe-0.2%Mo-0.8%Mn-1.5%Cr-1.5Ni-0.4%C). Prealloyed Höganäs DH (Direct Hardening) iron powder and graphite powder (grade C-UF) were used to produce DH-1 steel. Prealloyed Astaloy CrL iron powder, low carbon ferromanganese, elemental nickel and graphite grade C-UF powder were the starting powders of 34HNM steel. Pressing was in rigid dies at 660MPa according to PN-EN ISO 2740 standard. After compaction, green compacts were sintered in a specially designed semi-closed container at 1120°C for 60 minutes in a nitrogen atmosphere. The chemical composition of the sintering atmosphere was modified by adding ferromanganese and/or activator into the container. All specimens were tested for tensile strength (UTS), elongation (A), yield offset strength (R0,2), TRS, apparent surface and cross section hardness (HV 30). The best combination of strength and plasticity for both steels was achieved after sinteraustempering at 500°C. The results show that, using the specially designed semi-closed container, sinteraustempering in N2 atmosphere offers the same or even better mechanical properties in comparison with sinteraustempering in vacuum. It means that sinteraustempering in N2 atmosphere is a very interesting process in terms of cost in comparison with vacuum sinteraustempering.