Abstract
The dimensional changing behavior of the system Fe-2wt%.Cu-0.8wt%C-0.75wt% zinc stearate under an atmosphere of endothermic gas was investigated. The decrease of heating rate causes shrinkage and the decrease of cooling rate causes expansion. On the other hand, the influence of the dew point on dimensional change is also in accordance with tendency of heating and cooling rate. It became clear by two model experiments that the compacts shrink with carburizing during heating and expand during cooling.
In this way, dimensional change depends on carburization, but the behavior observed during heating differs from that during cooling. Authors proposed the new "carbon transfer theory ". When this theory was applied to various sintering phenomena, experimental results could be explained well. In order to solve problems during the sintering process, it must be important to consider the stage where carbon transfer occurrs.
