Sintering is the process by which metal powder compacts (or loose metal powders) are transformed into coherent solids at temperatures below their melting point. During sintering, the powder particles are bonded together by diffusion and other atomic transport mechanisms, and the resulting somewhat porous body acquires a certain mechanical strength.
The sintering process is governed by the following parameters:
- Temperature and time: The higher the sintering temperature, the shorter is the sintering time required to
achieve a desired degree of bonding between the powder particles in a powder compact.
- Geometrical structure of the powder particles: At given sintering conditions, powders consisting of fine particles or particles of high internal porosity (large specific surface), sinter faster than powders consisting of coarse compact particles.
- Composition of the powder mix: The components of powder mixes are selected and proportioned with a view to achieving desired physical properties and controlling dimensional changes during Sintering
- Density of the powder compact: The greater the density of a powder compact, the larger is the total contact area between powder particles, and the more efficient are bonding and alloying processes during
sintering.
- Composition of the protective atmosphere in the sintering furnace: The protective atmosphere has to fulfill several functions during sintering which in some respects are contradictory. On the one hand, the atmosphere is to protect the sinter goods from oxidation and reduce possibly present residual oxides; on the other hand, it is to prevent decarbonization of carbon-containing material and, vice versa, prevent carbonization of carbon-free material.
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