Effect of Sintering Temperature and Holding Time to the Final Characteristics of Fecral Powder Compacts Formed at Elevated Temperature Through Die Compaction Method

This paper presents an experimental study on the effect of sintering temperature and holding time to the final characteristics of FeCrAl powder compacts formed at 200°C through uniaxial die compaction process. The powder mass was prepared by mechanically mixing iron powder ASC 100.29 with chromium (22 wt%) and aluminum (11 wt%) for 30 min at room temperature. The powder mass was formed at 200°C by applying an axial load of 425 MPa. The as-pressed compacts termed as green products were then cooled to room temperature and subsequently sintered in argon gas fired furnace at a rate of 5°C/min for three different holding times, i.e., 30, 60, and 90 min at three different sintering temperatures, i.e., 800, 900, and 1000°C. The sintered samples were characterized for their density, bending strength, and microstructure. The results revealed that the sample sintered at 800°C for 30 min got higher relative density but lower bending strength. Sample sintered at 1000°C for 30 min achieved the higher bending strength and better microstructure.