Effect of heating mode on sinterability of carbonyl iron compacts

Abstract

In recent years, microwave processing has gained wide acceptance as a novel method for sintering metal powders. As compared to conventional sintering, microwave sintering provides rapid and volumetric heating involving conversion of electromagnetic energy into thermal energy within the material. This results in finer microstructures, thereby providing improved mechanical properties and quality of the products. This study examines the dependence of densification, microstructure and mechanical properties on the heating mode of Fe–2%Cu and Fe–2%Cu–0·8%C. The powdered compacts were sintered in conventional (radiation mode) and microwave (2·45 GHz, multimode) furnaces at 1120°C in 90N₂–10H₂ atmosphere, and comparative analysis of the properties was investigated.

Keywords:

• Conventional sintering
• Microwave sintering
• Iron copper
• Copper steel
• Mechanical properties

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF), New Delhi, for partial support of this research work.