The use of Weibull Statistics to Quantify Property Variability in Fe-3Mn-0.8C Sinter-Hardened Structurally Inhomogeneous Steels

Abstract

Abstract Low carbon ferro-manganese and graphite powders were admixed to Hoganas sponge, NC100.24, and water atomised, ABC 100.30 and ASC 100.29, iron powders - to produce three variants of sintered Fe-3Mn-0.8C steel. These were pressed into tensile and bend specimens at 660 MPa, sintered in semi-closed containers for 1 hour in dry nitrogen or hydrogen at 1120 or 1250°C and cooled at 64°C/min. Both tensile strength and transverse rupture strength were examined using Weibull statistics. This paper presents the results of a study to develop and evaluate goodness of fit tests for the two- and three-parameter Weibull distributions. The study was initiated because of discrepancies in published critical values for two-parameter Weibull distribution goodness of fit tests and the lack of general three-parameter Weibull distribution goodness of fit tests for properties of PM steels.