This research mainly focuses on the development of sinter brazing technology for improving the process related to belt pulley made by sinter hardening. As the machine process of belt pulley takes up more than half of the total manufacturing hours, we propose changing the process to pulley groove brazed and bonded with pulley disc by applying sinter brazing to belt pulley. With the new process, the belt pulley is expected to reduce manufacturing cost to 70% of the original process by applying the sinter brazing technology; and the belt pulley bound by sinter brazing only loses 10% bonding strength compared with the original process.

A CCT diagram for Cr-Mo prealloyed sintered steels suitable for sinter hardening was established by combining dilatometry data, microstructural studies and microhardness measurements of the material. CCT diagrams deepen the understanding of material properties after sinter hardening and support the design of materials on an industrial scale by providing information about required cooling rates for successful sinter hardening of these materials.

The present work is a study on the argon gas pressure effects of Sinter/HIP sintering on microstructure and strength of different grades of TiC-NiMo cermets. Titanium carbide in the composition of different grades of TiC-NiMo cermets was ranged from 40 to 80 wt.% and the ratio of nickel to molybdenum in the initial powder composition was 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1 respectively. On the sintered alloys, the main strength characteristic, transverse rupture strength (TRS) was measured. Furthermore, the microstructure parameters of some alloys were measured and the pressure effect on pore elimination was evaluated. All the results were compared with common, vacuum sintered alloys. The TRS values of TiC-NiMo cermets could be considerably improved by using Sinter/HIP technique, for high-carbide fraction alloys and for alloys sintered at elevated temperatures.

In all conventional sintered PM products, the pores present are of two types, primary and secondary. Primary pores forming during compaction and latter during sintering, due to penetration of formed liquid through the matrix grain boundary. Effect of carbon addition on diffusion of Cu in SH737-2Cu system was investigated. After compaction and transient liquid phase sintering at and , samples were characterized for densification, showing rise in sintering density and reduction in swelling on carbon addition. Quantitative microstructural characterization (shape factor and pore size) revealed bimodal distribution for 0% carbon, more rounded pores for 0.9% carbon and higher sintering temperature, and pore coarsening at higher sintering temperature.

Dimensional precision is a critical parameter in net shape processing of ferrous PM components. Sinter-hardening alloys undergo a transformation from austenite to martensite. Martensite formation expands the sintered compact, while tempering hardened steels results in shrinkage. In addition, martensitic regions with high Cu and C contents may contain large amounts of retained austenite. The presence of martensite and retained austenite, in addition to the tempering step, all play a role in the final dimensions of a component. This paper investigates the dimensional and microstructural changes to two sinter-hardening grades through different post-sintering thermal treatments.

Fe-4Ni-0.5Mo-1Cu powder was selected as raw material, pressed and sinter-hardened at for 30 min with rapid cooling. The density varies in the range of . Its fatigue properties have been tested in axial loading of alternating tensile/compressive stress at R=-1 with a servo-pulse pump. The fatigue endurance limit was measured to be 260 MPa. The microstructure showed more homogeneous bainite and martensite. Fractography displayed the fatigue cracks initiated from the pore areas near the surface. A non-typical ductile fatigue striation was found. More dimples occurred on fracture surface due to the plastic deformation, which can prohibit cracking propagation and improve its fatigue properties.

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.

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.

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.

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.