Densification and volumetric change during supersolidus liquid phase sintering of prealloyed brass Cu28Zn powder: Modeling and optimization

Abstract

An investigation has been made to use response surface methodology and central composite rotatable design for modeling and optimizing the effect of sintering variables on densification of prealloyed Cu28Zn brass powder during supersolidus liquid phase sintering. The mathematical equations were derived to predict sintered density, densification parameter, porosity percentage and volumetric change of samples using second order regression analysis. As well as the adequacy of models was evaluated by analysis of variance technique at 95% confidence level. Finally, the influence and interaction of sintering variables, on achieving any desired properties was demonstrated graphically in contour and three dimensional plots. In order to better analyze the samples, microstructure evaluation was carried out. It was concluded that response surface methodology based on central composite rotatable design, is an economical way to obtain arbitrary information with performing the fewest number of experiments in a short period of time.