Abstract
The Fe–(2, 3)Mn and Fe–(2, 3)Mn–0·4C specimens were sintered in the dilatometer tests for 30 min at 1150°C in an H2–H2 O atmosphere with a dew point of –30 and –70°C. The Mn addition at sintering of the specimens with a dew point of –30°C resulted in higher swelling with a maximum at 1150°C and processing at a dew point of –70°C resulted in minimal differences in swelling of the specimens in dependence on the Mn addition. Processing in the high purity atmosphere (–70°C) causes a loss of Mn in the form of Mn vapour transported away by the flowing atmosphere needed for alloying of the Fe matrix. On the contrary, at sintering in a low purity atmosphere (–30°C) the reaction of Mn vapour with oxygen of high partial pressure occurs near the surface of the specimens. Sintering of Mn steels requires the low purity atmosphere in contrast to the thermodynamic requirements. The sintering of Mn steels occurred under the effect of Mn vapour formed by sublimation regardless the thermodynamics for Mn–O system.
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