A steel/cemented carbide couple is selected to generate a tough/hard two layers material. Sintering temperature and composition are deduced from phase equilibria, and experimental studies are used to determine optimal conditions. Liquid migration from the hard layer to the tough one is observed. Microstructure evolution during sintering of the tough material (TEM, SEM, image analysis) evidences coupled mechanisms of pore reduction and WC dissolution. Liquid migration, as well as interface crack formation due to differential densification are limited by suitable temperature and time conditions.

Laser Powder Deposition (LPD) is a technology capable of modifying a metallic structure by adding the appropriate material to perform a desired function. LPD offers a unique fabrication technique that allows the use of soft (tough) materials as base structures. Through LPD a hard material can be applied to the base material with little thermal input (minimal dilution and heat-affected-zone {HAZ}), thus providing the function of a heat treatment or other surface modifications. These surface modifications have been evaluated through standard wear testing (ASTM G-65), surface hardness (Rc), micro-hardness (vickers), and optical microscopy.

High hardness of P/M parts can be obtained in the cooling section of the sintering furnace by using sinter hardenable materials, thus the post-sintering heat treatment can be eliminated. However, the sinter hardened materials would have difficulties in secondary machining if it is required, which will limit the applications of sinter hardenable materials in the machined parts. Recent development in warm compaction technology can enable us not only to achieve the high green density up to , but also the high green strength which is needed for green machining. Therefore by using warm compaction technology, the green machining can be applied to sinter hardenable materials for the high density, strength and hardness P/M parts. In the present study, a pre-alloyed steel powder, ATOMET4601, was used by mixing with 2.0% copper, 1.0% nickel, 0.9% graphite and a proprietary lubricant using a binder treatment process - FLOMET. The specimens were compacted and green machined with different machining parameters. The machined surface finish and part integrity were evaluated in selecting the optimal conditions for green machining. The possibility of applying the green machining to the high-density structural parts was explored.

Free-machining agent 'KSX' contains complex calcium oxide is developed. The effect of admix ratio of KSX on mechanical properties and machinability with two different cutting speeds is reported. KSX displays improved machinability without deterioration of mechanical properties up to 0.3mass% addition. It was observed that KSX is effective with a small addition of 0.1mass% at slower cutting speed, and increased of admix ratio is effective at faster cutting speed.

Machining of sinter-hardened PM steels provides a challenge for part makers. To facilitate machining of these materials, a new additive (MA) has been developed to increase tool life during the machining process. Hard turning tests were performed to evaluate the effect of this new additive. Sintered compacts with the MA additive were compared to compacts without a machining aid and to compacts that contained the MnS additive. This paper discusses the improvement in machinability with this new additive in sinter-hardenable PM steels.

Machinability and machining mechanism were examined in the case where resin impregnation treatment was conducted to the Mo-Co hardening particle dispersed iron-based sintered alloy. As a result, the force required for machining decreased significantly compared with the case where resin impregnation treatment was not conducted. This effect is considered to be attributable to the embrittlement of cutting chips produced by the minimization of the cut material deformation.

The mechanical properties of ferrous powder metallurgy (P/M) materials are directly related to their microstructure. Ferrous P/M materials with sufficient hardenability will develop microstructures containing significant percentages of martensite in the as-sintered condition. Recently, sinter-hardening has developed into a highly cost effective production method through hardened P/M parts without the need for additional heat-treatments. This paper reviews the advances of sinter-hardening as well as some key processing parameters such as sintering temperature, cooling rate, tempering required to produce high quality sinter-hardened components. Specific topics including effect of alloying elements, alloying methods, and the Characterization and observation of microstructure are discussed.

The sinter-bonding behavior of iron based powder mixtures was investigated. To produce the green compacts to be joined the following powders based on AB grade NC 100.24 plain iron powder were used: NC 100.24 as delivered, PNC 30, PNC 60 and NC 100.24 + 4%Cu powder mixtures. Dimensional behaviour of all those materials during the sintering cycle was monitored by dilatometry. Simple ring shaped specimens as the outer parts and cylindrical as the inner parts were pressed. The influence of parts' composition on joining strength was established. Diffusion of alloying elements: copper and phosphorous, across the bonding surface was controlled by metallography, SEM and microanalysis.

Porous titanium implants can be produced by powder metallurgy in combination with suitable space holder materials. Various mechanical experiments were done to characterize this material regarding the influence of the processing parameters on microstructure and mechanical properties taking into account the properties of the human bone. In this paper, the anistropic behaviour of uniaxially compacted samples was analysed in compression tests and compared to the behaviour of isostatically pressed samples. The failure of the struts of the porous titanium and the crack- initiation and -growth was examined by in-situ SEM analysis.

The primary aim pursued by the preparation of separation membrane is the preparation of the membrane thin as well as with no defect. The field-flow fractionation deposition is a new molding technology which can overcome the traditional disadvantages such as multi-preparation to the preparation of great area of separation membrane with no defect. Therefor the mainly ingredients which influence the appearance and performance of titanium membrane layer are investigated by scanning electricity mirror (SEM) as well as porous material testing instrument: powder performance prepared and confected; selection of supporting body; sintering system such as temperature and time. It is shown that the membrane thickness can be controlled at or so; the filtration precision mainly rests with powder performance and selection of supporting body and little sintering system

The paper presents some results regarding the obtaining of some copper heat pipes with a porous copper internal layer for electronic components cooling. The heat pipes were realized by sintering of spherical copper powders of size directly on the internal side of a copper pipe of 18 mm in diameter. The obtained pipes were then brazed in order to obtain a heat pipe of 0.5 m in length. After that, the heat pipe was sealed and filled with a small quantity of distilled water as working fluid. To establish the total heat transport coefficient and the thermal flow transferred at the evaporator, some external devices were realized to allow the heating of the evaporator and the cooling of the condenser. Water heat pipes are explored in the intermediate temperature range of 303 up to 500 K. Test data are reported for copper water heat pipe, which was tested under different orientations. The obtained results show that the water heat pipe has a good thermal transfer performance in the temperatures range between 345 and 463 K.

The thermal dissipation performance of sintered heat pipes is usually determined by the capillarity and permeability of the Cu powder wicks. Since the capillary provided by the Cu powder is usually large enough to draw water from the condenser end to the evaporator end, the permeability has become the controlling factor. In this study, Cu powders with different particle sizes and shapes were loosely sintered, and their permeabilities were compared. The results show that more complicated shapes, finer particle sizes, lower porosities, and rougher pore surfaces give lower permeability and thermal dissipation.

Fabrication and Properties of Nano-structured Ceramics

The nanostructure control of ceramics can be achieved by using fine starting powder and retardation of grain growth. The spark plasma sintering technique is useful to retard the grain growth by rapid heating. In the present work, the change of microstructure was investigated with emphasis on the particle size of starting powder, the amount of sintering additive and the heating schedule. The rapid heating by spark plasma sintering gave the fine microstructure consisting of equiaxed grains with the same size as starting particles. The spark plasma sintering of fine powder was effective to control the microstrucutre on nano-meter level.