Infiltrant Powders

Description

Infiltrating powders (IPs) are typically copper-based materials blended or alloyed with other metals. They are supplied in a press-ready form so customers can compact the material into slugs or rings.

IPs are designed to be used in a one-step heating cycle during which the green ferrous matrix is simultaneously sintered and infiltrated. IPs are processed to minimize normal erosion (dissolving of the iron matrix during infiltration) and as a low-, medium-, or high-efficiency infiltrant powder.

IPs fill the pores/voids of a sintered PM compact using a metal or metal alloy of a lower melting point than the base material. The infiltration process will produce parts with higher density, increased strength, toughness, hardness, improved impact strength, and thermal conductivity compared to the base metal part.

Infiltrated parts can be easily plated, welded, or brazed and will have improved machinability. Infiltrated steel parts will respond to standard heat treatment practices.

Characteristics

• Powder:
  Typically > 93% copper
  Particle size -100 mesh (<150 µm)
  Typical apparent density 3.0 g/cm³
  Pre-lubricated, press-ready powders with excellent green strength
  Grades are tailored to provide high efficiency, low adhesion and residue, and minimal erosion
• Paste:
  No tooling is required for PM compacts
  Eliminates pressing and handling of fragile PM compacts
  Ease of automation
  Reduced dusting
  Precise weight control
  Improved control of part density