The Sintering Kinetics of T15 Tool Steel Powder during Consolidation by Atmospheric Pressure

Abstract

This paper describes the process of consolidation of irregular T15 tool steel powder by atmospheric pressure. The sintering kinetics is studied over a range of times between 0.5 and 8 hours at 1250 °C. The results indicated that increasing of sintering time decreases the porosity rate and increases the hardness. When the material is near full density, then grain growth starts and the hardness decreases as a consequence. Glass penetration into the powder is a peculiar phenomenon to the CAP process. The thickness of penetration is time dependent but does not exceed 2 mm at 1250 °C. The relationship between microstructure and properties of the sintered powder was illustrated.