Abstract
Some mechanical properties of copper alloy infiltrated iron powder compacts have beeninvestigated.The infiltrants were pure copper, copper alloys containing up to 8wt%Fe, Ni or Mn and a copper alloy containing 2wt%Fe, Ni and Mn. The iron skeletons were used as green compacts and sintered compacts. In addition, the effect of heat treatments on the mechanical properties of the infiltrated specimen has been investigated. The results obtained areas follows:
(1) Tensile strength of the copper infiltrated specimen increased rapidly with increasing infiltration time, and showed the maximum value at about 5 minutes infiltration. Beyond about 10 minutes it increased gradually with increasing infiltration time. Tensile strength of the Cu infiltrated iron green compacts was higher than that of the pre-sintered and Cu infiltrated iron powder compacts.
(2) The addition of up to about 4wt%Ni or Mn to the Cu infiltrant was superior to that of Fe to the Cu infiltrant for the purpose of preventing the surface pitting of the infiltrated specimen.
(3) The effect of various heat treatments after the infiltration and the water quenching of the infiltrated specimen on the mechanical properties has been determined. In general, the aging at 480°C for 30 minutes is desirable for improving the tensile strength, but the furnace cooling or the aging at 700°C for 20 minutes is recommendable for improving the ductility of the products. In addition, the Cu alloy infiltrated iron powder compacts aged at 700°C for 20 minutes showed a comparatively high tensile strength.
