Effect of sintering parameters (time and temperature) upon the fabrication process of organic binder-based metallic hollow sphere

ABSTRACT

Metallic hollow spheres (MHSs) are developed to be used in structural applications in syntactic and metal foams. These foams are lightweight and energy-absorbing structures which also can be used for acoustic insulation. In this study, the fabrication process of MHSs with optimum mechanical properties has been investigated. To achieve this goal, polystyrene spheres were coated with iron powder and an organic binder. During the multi-stage heat treatment, the green spheres were sintered into MHSs. Sintering was done at various temperatures (1125, 1150, 1175 and 1200°C) at different durations (3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 h). The influence of the different sintering durations and temperatures on mechanical features, microstructure and density was studied as well. The obtained results indicate that samples that were sintered at the temperature of 1175°C for 4:30 h resulted in superior mechanical and physical properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Metallic
• hollow
• sphere
• adhesive
• coating
• sinter
• time
• temperature

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributor

Hamid Reza Davari received his M.Eng. degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2013 from Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. He is currently a lecturer in weld engineering department, Kargar University of Applied Science and Technology and head of weld engineering department, Fateh Group. His research interests are powder metallurgy, Joining technology and Nondestructive Test.

Hooman Gholamzadeh received his M.Eng. degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2013 from Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. He is currently quality control inspector in Azma. His research interests are powder metallurgy and Nondestructive Test.

Mohammad Hossein Paydar received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2000 from Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. He is currently a professor in Materials Science and Engineering Department, Shiraz University. His research interests are powder metallurgy, ceramics and fuel cell.

Seyed Abolghasem Dehghan received his Ph.D. degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 1981 from Columbia University, Los Angeles. He is currently a retired associate professor in Materials Science and Engineering Department, Shiraz University. His research activities are devoted to casting and ceramics.

ORCID

Hamid Reza Davari http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6794-8598

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge the financial support from Shiraz University and the support of their facilities, and scientific and technical assistance.