The synergy between powder metallurgy processes and welding of metallic alloy: a review

ABSTRACT

Powder metallurgy (PM) technology is an ideal manufacturing process to produce near net shape parts i.e. part that requires little or no machining, examples of PM processes are spark plasma sintering, isostatic pressing and additive manufacturing. PM allows maximisation of materials and produces part with optimised mechanical and physical properties. Also, PM process provides the possibility to further increase the industrial use of PM parts by fabricating it into complex geometrical shapes via joining. Joining is the most important mechanical process necessary for PM parts to perform in actual service conditions expected in automobile parts and structural parts. Despite apparent advantages of PM processes, joining PM parts has been a tedious process, due to challenges associated with inherent characteristics, like porosity, chemical composition and impurities like oil or grease, which tend to impair the weldments property. In this document, a review of PM process is presented, focusing on different welding methods that can be used to effectively join PM components.

KEYWORDS:

• Powder metallurgy
• welding technology
• metallic alloy

Acknowledgement

This research is funded by the University Research Committee (URC) funding, university of Johannesburg.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Ayorinde Tayo Olanipekun is currently a Ph.D. student of Mechanical Engineering, University of Johannesburg. His curiosity and strong background in research has allowed him to keep up with the latest developments in computational materials science and Machine learning research. He received his M.Sc. degree in Mechanical Engineering, University of Ibadan, 2014.

Dr Nthabiseng Beauty Maledi is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand. She is currently registered for a Professional Master’s degree in Welding. Her research interests are in the broad areas of physical metallurgy, corrosion science, materials characterisation, welding, energy, and the environment. Her particular research focus is in welding of engineering and new materials intended for novel applications.

Dr Peter Madindwa Mashinini has published over 20 publications in international journals and conference proceedings. Peter Madindwa Mashinini received his doctoral degree from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He is presently working as an associate professor and head of department at the department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology at University of Johannesburg in South Africa. His research interest includes friction stir processing, laser processing, and development of composite materials. He has published more than 40 technical articles in peer reviewed international journals and conferences.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by the University Research Committee (URC) funding, University of Johannesburg.