2010 Volume 51 Issue 4 Pages 822-825
The use of master sintering curve (MSC) is an effective method to predict densification during sintering or hot pressing. Empirical models of MSC in early studies were developed using a single kind of powder or a major powder with a little amount of sintering additives. For the present study, the powder mixture consisting of 6 different metallic materials was used to see whether the concept of MSC can be applicable to the hot pressing of metallic powder mixture. Three data sets having different heating rates merged onto a single curve when the density was plotted as a logarithmic function of Θ as well as the best estimation of the activation energy was found, where Θ is the integral of temperature function over time. It was found that the density versus Θ profile can be used to predict the final density of metallic powder mixture at a given pressure regardless of heating history. The study was also extended to a range of pressures from 31.4 to 88.3 MPa to generate the pressure-assisted master sintering surface (PMSS).
