Microstructure and Mechanical Properties a New Iron-Base Material Used for the Fabrication of Sintered Diamond Tools

Abstract

The main objective of the present work is to characterise the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new iron-base material which has been recently gaining ground in the manufacture of diamond impregnated tools as an economical substitute for cobalt and cobalt alloys. Its density, hardness and yield test properties have been directly compared to those of hot pressed Cobalt Extra Fine (CoEF) powder. It has been shown that the raw iron-663 bronze powder mix can be consolidated to a virtually pore-free condition by hot pressing at 880°C. Although the as-consolidated material is inferior to cobalt, it displays a favourable combination of hardness, yield strength and ductility, and seems to have a great potential for moderate and general purpose applications.