Sintering Behaviour and Performance Data of High Speed Steel Components

Abstract

To obtain effective sintering of high speed steel powder compacts to full density it is essential to balance the oxides present on the powder particle surface with the correct amount of added carbon, since the sintering temperature depends critically on the residual carbon content after the oxides have been reduced. In this paper the underlying relation-ships, derived from experimental sintering runs, are presented. Conclusions for the sintering of actual components are derived and compared with practical production experience. It is shown that inadequate carbon control leads to incomplete densification and to component distortion. Performance data for sintered products such as cutting inserts are presented. PM/0342