Utilisation of sinter-hardening treatment for various sintered steels

Purpose: Purpose of this paper was to present the benefits of powder metallurgy technology and development of sinter-hardening process applied to different steels including pre-alloyed Ni-Mo steels with W addition, Astaloy CrM and experimental sintered duplex stainless steels. The mechanical properties, focusing in particular on hardness and wear resistance, of two different sinter-hardened steels were described. Microstructure characteristic of produced sinter-hardened steels was taken under consideration. Design/methodology/approach: Different compositions have been tested in order to investigate the influence of sinter-hardening of steels under different cooling rates on microstructure and properties. As a first group of materials Ni-Mo pre-alloyed steel powders were used, differing with the addition of tungsten and amount of carbon. Green compacts were sintered at the temperature 1120 degrees centigrade for 1 hour. The next set of investigated materials was produced by mixing the Astaloy CrM powder with carbon amount of 0.6% and then compacted and sintered in the same conditions. Under sinter-hardened conditions, experimental sintered duplex stainless steels were also evaluated. After sintering, different cooling rates were applied. Findings: The applied sinter-hardening process resulted with achievement of material characterized by proper microstructure. The investigation of sinter-hardened steels proved that applied process of sintering under vacuum and rapid cooling brought expected outcome. Research limitations/implications: Considering the achieved outcome, it was revealed that chemical composition and applied process of steels preparation, sinter-hardening with rapid cooling, results in achievement of materials with relatively high apparent hardness and significant resistance to abrasion. Anyhow, further researches should be performed. Originality/value: The paper contributes to better understanding advantages of sinter-hardening process applicable to different sintered steels.