Joining of iron based powder metallurgy parts with sintering

Abstract

In this study, joining of iron based green and pre-sintered powder metal parts by sintering was examined. Samples were pressed at 600 MPa and sintered at 1120 degrees C for 45 minutes under reducing (%90N(2) + %10H(2)) and endogas atmospheres. Mechanical properties of iron based powder samples (Fe-%0.6P, Fe-%0.6P-%2Cu, Fe-%0.6P-%3Cu-%0.4C) were measured under green and sintered conditions. In joining with sintering experiments ring-pellet geometry was utilized. Green and pre-sintered ring (Fe-%0.6P, Fe-%0.6P-%2Cu) and pellet (Fe-%0.6P-% 3Cu-%0.4C) samples were joined by sintering and their bonding strengths were measured. The interface formed after sinter joining was examined with optical and scanning electron microscopy. The study show that green parts can be joined by sintering without an appreciable loss in bonding strength.