Conventional Powder Metallurgy Process and Characterization of Porous Titanium for Biomedical Applications

Commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) is one of the best metallic biomaterials for bone tissue replacement. However, one of its main drawbacks, which compromises the service reliability of the implants, is the stress-shielding phenomenon (Young’s modulus mismatch with respect to that one of the bone). Several previous works attempted to solve this problem. One alternative to solve that problem has been the development of biocomposites implants and, more recently, the fabrication of titanium porous implants. In this work, porous samples of c.p. Ti grade 4 were obtained using conventional powder metallurgy technique. The influence of the processing parameters (compacting pressure and sintering temperature) on the microstructure features (size, type, morphology, and percentage of porosity), as well as on the mechanical properties (compressive yield strength, and conventional and dynamic Young’s modulus) were investigated. The results indicated that there is an increment in density, roundness of pores, and mean free path between them as compacting pressure and/or sintering temperature is increased. The Young’s modulus (conventional and dynamic) and yield strength showed the same behavior. Better stiffness results, in the central part of cylindrical samples, were obtained for a uniaxial compression of 38.5 MPa using a sintering temperature of 1273 K and 1373 K (1000 °C and 1100 °C). An evaluation of porosity and Young’s modulus along a cylindrical sample divided in three parts showed that is possible to obtain a titanium sample with graded porosity that could be used to design implants. This approach opens a new alternative to solve the bone resorption problems associated with the stress-shielding phenomenon.     

Effect of spacer type and cold compaction pressure on structural and mechanical properties of porous titanium scaffold

Abstract

Cell shape plays a crucial role on mechanical properties of titanium foam as scaffold in bone tissue engineering. In the present research, titanium foam was prepared using space holder technique. Sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate were utilised as spacer agent separately. The effect of cold compaction pressure and spacer agent type on the cell morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical stereo microscopy. Image analysing technique was performed to evaluate the microscopic images quantitatively. Exact salt leaching time was introduced by a new approach using electrical conductivity measurement. True and apparent porosities and compressive mechanical properties of the synthesised foams were evaluated. Finally, the superior spacer agent and appropriate cold compaction pressure were determined. It was shown that sodium chloride, due to maintaining its morphology during cold compaction pressure and absence of chemical side effects on titanium, is the superior spacer agent.     

THE PROPERTIES OF POROUS NICKEL PRODUCED BY PRESSING AND SINTERING

Abstract

The effects of compacting pressure and of sintering temperature and time on the properties of porous sintered nickel compacts have been studied, using three carbonyl and two reduced nickel powders. For all five powders, the density of the green compacts and the porosity of the sintered compacts were linearly related to the log compacting pressure. Similar relationships with pressure were observed for strength and electrical conductivity.

Photomicrographs of sections through the sintered compacts made from the reduced nickel powders show that there are pores in two different size ranges, originating from the porosity between the original powder particles and the pores within the particles. It is concluded that sintered compacts from all five powders containing 40–50% porosity have adequate strength and conductivity for use in fuel-cell electrodes.     

Microstructural modelling of electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of sintered ferrous materials

Abstract

The role of microstructure on mechanical properties of sintered ferrous materials was studied using a method based on electrical conductivity measurement. The method was accompanied by quantitative fractography to evaluate the dewaxing and sintering process in iron compacts. The effects of manufacturing parameters, such as compacting pressure in the range of 150–800 MPa, sintering temperature from 400 to 1300°C, sintering time up to 8 h, and lubrication mode were investigated. Several mathematical models were checked to obtain the best one for prediction of electrical conductivity changes as a function of manufacturing parameters. The mechanical properties of the sintered compacts were also evaluated to establish a relationship between conductivity, total porosity, pore morphology, and mechanical behaviour. The results show that the electrical conductivity/resistivity of sintered materials is closely related to its microstructure, so that measuring these properties can replace destructive test methods for prediction of mechanical strength of sintered materials with homogeneous matrix microstructure. The application of the method is shown for sintered Fe, Fe–0·8%C, and Fe–1·5%Mo–0·7%C compacts.     

THE CORRELATION BETWEEN RAW MATERIALS,PREPARATION CONDITIONS,AND PROPERTIES OF SINTERED IRON

Abstract

Three plain iron powders of different types (sponge-iron, atomized and electrolytic iron powder) were studied with respect to their sintering behaviour and to the influence of manufacturing parameters—i.e., compacting pressure, sintering temperature, and sintering atmosphere—on the microstructure and the properties of sintered compacts. The changes of length, electric conductivity, and strength during sintering are explained in physical and chemical terms. Technical sintering diagrams are presented. The influence of sintering atmospheres on the mechanical properties of sintered compacts is shown for the three types of powder. The correlation between pore structure and strength is discussed; analytical relationships are developed which are in agreement with the experimental results.     

Influence of sintering conditions on tensile and high cycle fatigue behaviour of powder injection moulded Ti–6Al–4V at ambient and elevated temperatures

Abstract

Tensile and high cycle fatigue properties of Ti–6Al–4V samples fabricated by powder injection moulding (PIM) are examined at room temperature and elevated temperatures. Standard wrought Ti–6Al–4V material is used for comparison. The tensile and the fatigue strength of samples fabricated by powder injection moulding are found to be significantly lower than conventional wrought material. On the other hand, strength and ductility of metal injection moulded (MIM) samples are high enough to be of large practical interest, in particular if the low processing costs for intricate shapes are taken into account. The inferior properties of the MIM material are caused by considerable remaining porosity, enlarged grain size and increased interstitial content. Prolonged sintering times lead to improved density and strength. At the same time, the room temperature ductility is observed to drop to very low levels, presumably because of additional grain growth.     

EVALUATION OF IRON POWDERS FOR SINTERED STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS

Abstract

A new method for evaluation of iron powders is suggested. Ultimate tensile strength is chosen as a base parameter, and the relations between this property and compacting pressure and raw material cost, respectively, are shown. For this purpose it has been necessary to deduce two supplementary parameters, Relative Pressure Response (P_r) and Relative Raw Material Requirement (M_r), which are functions of compacting pressure and ultimate tensile strength, and of compacting pressure and density, respectively.

It is shown that the importance of compressibility of iron powders is overrated in current opinion and, consequently, that it is misleading to judge the overall merits of an iron powder according to its compressibility.

Raw material costs of sintered steels are lower, if sponge-iron powders are used instead of atomized powders, even if the price of all iron powders were equal. This tendency is more strongly emphasized at low densities, where the sponge-iron powder with the lowest apparent density value is preferable. The differences are beginning to lessen and disappear gradually at densities approaching or exceeding 7·0–7·2 g/cm³ (for single-pressed and single-sintered materials).

Alloy composition has a stronger influence on raw-material costs than the choice of iron-powder grades. Close and reliable control of carbon contents and avoidance of oxidation of manganese is essential for lowering of costs in the PM structural-component manufacturing industry.     

Effect of Intermediate Annealing Temperature on Response of Repressing to Densification of Pre-Alloyed Cr-Mo Steel

 Increasing density is one of the important factors for producing high quality powder metallurgy (PM) parts, which has beneficial effect on mechanical properties. One of the common techniques for achieving this goal is double compacting, which seems to be a potentially attractive method in PM route, also for Cr-Mo alloyed-steels. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of first compacting pressure and intermediate annealing temperature on attaining higher densities and minimum interconnected porosity for Cr-Mo pre-alloyed steel. The effect of mentioned parameters was studied by measuring density, transverse rupture strength and macrohardness of repressed samples. The results show that for each first compacting pressure, the density range of repressed samples increases with the increasing annealing temperature up to a certain limit, due to C dissolution which causes free porosity and further densification. Annealing temperatures higher than optimum one should be avoided, since too much carbon dissolution results in harder and less deformable compacts. On the other hand, with regard to repressed density and other resulted properties, the amount of first compacting pressure offers considerable advantage in obtaining higher level of density and consequently improved mechanical properties.     

Effect of Compacting Pressure and 0·5%Mo on Properties of Sintered Iron Powder and Manganese Steels

Abstract

An investigation has been carried out on the effect of compacting pressure, in the range 150–600 MPa, and of the addition of 0·5%Mo on the properties of sintered Hametag iron powder and manganese steels. Higher sintering activity compared with standard iron resulted in higher density and higher mechanical properties in the presence of manganese vapour. The addition of 0·5%Mo in the form of ferromolyb-denum caused an increase in density and strength properties in the Fe–C and Fe–Mn–C steels. PM/0157     

Microstructural investigation of as cast and PREP atomised Ti–6Al–4V alloy

Abstract

A microstructure characterisation of Ti–6Al–4V is conducted for cast, extruded and micrometre sized particles. The plasma rotating electrode process is used to produce spherical Ti–6Al–4V powders from an alloy electrode. The process parameters and their impact on the material properties are described. The effects of electrode rotation speed on the particle size distribution, particle shape and crystal structure are investigated in detail. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy are used for microstructural characterisation. The analysis shows that cast and extruded Ti–6Al–4V alloys have equiaxial α and α+β phase structures, while plasma rotating electrode processed powder from the same alloy compositions has an acicular or martensitic (α) structure. The microstructure scale depends on the particle size. Microhardness measurements are used to assess mechanical property dependence on the microstructure of this alloy. The rapidly cooled alloy particles have much higher hardness than cast or extruded bulk alloy.     

THE PREPARATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF CHROMIC OXIDE-CHROMIUM CERMETS MADE BY PARTIAL REDUCTION OF THE OXIDE

Abstract

Compacts of chromic oxide/carbon mixtures have been sintered in vacuum to produce oxide-metal cermets. The effect of carbon addition, type of carbon, purity of oxide, compacting pressure, and sintering temperature on the green and sintered density has been studied, and this has been supplemented by tests of hardness and compressive strength.

Considerable densification can be attained by a small addition of carbon to the powder mixture, and this is accompanied by an increase in compressive strength to 20 tons/in², compared with 3 tons/in² for the pure oxide sintered to the same temperature.     

Influence of minor Zr and Ti on microstructures and properties of Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu alloys

Abstract

The effect of minor Zr and Ti elements on microstructures and properties of Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu alloys was investigated. The results show that there is no significant change in the grain size by simultaneous addition of Zr and Ti as compared to individual additions of Zr or Ti to Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu alloy. The ability of restraining recrystallisation of Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu–0·16Zr–0·04Ti alloy is weaker than that of alloy Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu–0·16Zr alloy, since Ti and Zr have a poisoning interaction. The corresponding tensile properties, hardness and stress corrosion cracking resistance of the Al–8·6Zn–2·5Mg–2·2Cu–0·16Zr alloy were decreased by addition of Ti.     

内配碳铁铌共生矿冷固结球团强度实验研究

采用聚乙烯醇为粘结剂,对内配碳铁铌共生矿冷固结球团强度进行了研究,分别考察了球团碳氧比、成形压力、粘结剂浓度及烘干温度对干湿球强度的影响.结果表明,在碳氧比1.0、成形压力15 MPa、粘结剂浓度3.0％及烘干温度100℃条件制备球团,得到的干湿球强度均最大.     

Biologically Inspired Silicification Process for Improving Mechanical Properties of Sand

A new type of ground treatment method is developed to improve the engineering properties of coarse-grained soils. By using biochemical concepts derived from recent discoveries into how organisms produce silicified skeletons, a silicification process is reported that offers environmental and physical advantages over some traditional methods by using nontoxic, commercially available components with a low potential for adverse environmental effects. Silicification begins by first pretreating the soil with a commercially available cationic polyelectrolyte, which is then followed by injecting a mixture of commercial sodium silicate and buffer. The silicification solutions have a pH of 5.0–5.5, weakly acidic values that are within the range of surface soil environments in temperate weathering regions. Gel time is regulated by the sodium silicate or polyelectrolyte concentration. The compressive strengths are measured as a function of polyelectrolyte type and concentration by using samples of Ottawa 20/30 sand silicified with a 20% sodium silicate by volume. Unconfined compressive strengths range from 150 to 198?kPa and are shown to be equal to or higher than soils treated at similar silicate concentrations with traditional and alternative formulations. Drained triaxial compression test results show that silicification improves strength and initial stiffness and increases the amount of volume change attributable to dilation. In principle, the methods developed in this paper for coarse-grained soils are also applicable to fractured rock and to fine-grained soils. Developing materials and processes for ground treatment by using inspiration from biological systems offers the promise of improved geomechanical performance, lower embodied energy, and lower cost than current treatment methods.     

Variability of the Compressive Strength of Parallel Strand Lumber

Measurement of the compressive strength of parallel strand lumber (PSL) is conducted on specimens of varying size with nominally identical mesostructure. The mean of the compressive strength is found to vary inversely with the specimen size, and the coefficient of variation of the strength is found to decrease with increasing specimen size, and to be smaller than the coefficient of variation of strength for solid lumber. The correlation length of the compressive strength is approximately 0.5 m, and this correlation length leads to significant specimen-to-specimen variation in mean strength. A computational model is developed that includes the following properties of the PSL mesostructure: the strand length, the grain angle, the elastic constants, and the parameters of the Tsai-Hill failure surface. The computational model predicts the mean strength and coefficient of variation reasonably well, and predicts the correct form of correlation decay, but overpredicts the correlation length for compressive strength, likely because of sensitivity to the distribution of strand length used in the model. The estimates of the statistics of the PSL compressive strength are useful for reliability analysis of PSL structures, and the computational model, although still in need of further development, can be used in evaluating the effect of mesostructural parameters on PSL compressive strength.     

On development of hypoeutectic aluminium–silicon powder metallurgy alloy

Abstract

Powder metallurgy allows for the rapid, automated and efficient production of many different types of automotive components. However, a drawback is the limited selection of readily available light alloy blends. Owing to the wide spread use of aluminium–silicon casting alloys for existing components it is logical to develop aluminium–silicon PM options. Therefore, an experimental hypoeutectic aluminium–silicon alloy was chosen for study and an optimum processing route developed. Tests were performed to determine the green strength and density as a function of compaction pressure. Sintering conditions were optimised based on sintered density, hardness and dimensional changes. Metallography, differential scanning calorimetry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis provided insight into post-sinter furnace cooling and heat treatment parameters. An appropriate T6 heat treatment was developed and samples were tested in tension. The alloy was able to achieve a high sintered density approaching 98% and a yield strength of 232 MPa under the T6 condition.     

THE FATIGUE PERFORMANCE OF SOME CONNECTING RODS MADE BY POWDER FORGING

Abstract

The fatigue properties of connecting rods made by the powder-forging process have been studied. Plain iron powder was used in their production and the carbon content adjusted to ～0·45% by addition of graphite. Heat-treatment raised the strength to ～700–850 N/mm². Fatigue performance under alternating tensile and compressive stress was investigated using a ‘push/pull’-type machine, standard drop-forged rods being tested for comparison. In addition, tests were made on parallel sided test pieces of forged iron-carbon powder and En 15 wrought bar stock.

The endurance limits of the powder-forged rods were superior to those of the drop-forged rods although the results for the latter showed considerable scatter. However, the fatigue performance of polished test pieces showed wrought steel to be slightly the better. Reasons for the differences are discussed. A low-alloy steel of higher fatigue performance is under development specifically for connecting-rod application.     

EAF-CSP流程钛微合金化高强钢板的组织和性能研究

珠钢采用Ti微合金化技术在EAF—CSP流程上成功地开发出屈服强度为450～700MPa的高强度热轧钢板。系统地研究了试验钢的组织和性能．并分析了组织与性能的关系。结果表明，随钛含量增加或成品厚度减薄钢板的屈服强度显著提高，最高达到695MPa；钛的质量分数低于0．024％时对屈服强度影响不大；当钛的质量分数低于0．045％时．钢板屈服强度的提高主要来自于晶粒细化，而当钛的质量分数大于0．045％后，钢板强度的进一步提高来自于沉淀强化。     

Bearing Materials by Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

The dependence of green strength on green density and on compacting pressure was investigated for the bidirectional die pressed and isostatically pressed Cu powder compacts. The breaking strength of the pressed Cu compact was found to increase with green density and also with compacting pressure. The green strength seemed to be directly proportional to the contact area between powder particles. A theoretical equation for the relationship between green density and contact area was derived from a geometrical consideration, and agreed well with experimental findings. PM/0272