Abstract
Effects of high temperature sintering on mechanical properties of sintered low alloy steels were investigated using several commercial alloy powders. In order to evaluate the test data quantitatively, principal component analysis was employed.
With regard to sintering temperature dependence of mechanical properties, as-sintered steels were classified into two groups. Strength of Fe-4%Ni-1.5%Cu-0.5%Mo-(0.3-0.8)%C steels and ductility of Fe-(0.5-2)%Ni-(0-1.5)%Cu-l%Mo-0.5%C steels were improved by raising sintering temperature, while sintering temperature did not strongly affect ductility of the former steels and strength of the latter steels. It is considered that the influence of sintering temperature on mechanical properties varies depending on the Ni content of the steels.
On the other hand, when these steels were heat treated after sintering, both strength and ductility of the steels obtained by high temperature sintering were superior to those of the steels of a conventional sintering process.
