Influence introducing various plasticizers into an initial charge on the structure and properties of iron-based powder materials alloyed with copper.

In this paper the influence introducing various plasticizers into an initial charge on the structure and properties of iron-based powder materials alloyed with copper is considered. It is shown that introduction of copper stearate into an initial powder mixture and warm mixing, pressing and subsequent sintering makes it possible to obtain low-porosity workpieces with relative porosity of 95%. Pores within the workpieces obtained have a small size of 10–15 microns and a rounded shape. Also, bending strength is determined for sintered samples of all the compositions of powder mixtures studied and the Rockwell hardness is determined on the C scale. Powder steels based upon mixtures have the best set of mechanical properties PZhRV 2.200.28 + 0.7 wt.% Br + 0.7 wt.% Cu + 1 wt. % StCu + warm mixing—hardness HRC 58. flexural strength 600 MPa PZhRV 2.200.28 + 1.4 wt.% Br + 1.4 wt.% Cu + 1.4 wt.% C + 1.0 wt.% StFe + warm mixing—hardness HRC 100, flexural strength 530 MPa [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]