Consolidation processes in the sintering of fine-grained iron-copper pseudo-alloys

The properties of fine-grained iron-copper pseudo-alloys (ICPA) and consolidation processes that occur during their sintering are studied. The grains are no larger than 0.5 µm. It was established that the specimens undergo shrinkage, not growth, when fine iron-copper mixtures are sintered within the range 600–1130 °C. This occurs as a result of active consolidation of the dispersed powder mixture, shortening of the diffusion paths, and the active formation of solid solutions based on iron and copper. Sintered ICPAs have a stable fine-grained microstructure with a maximum grain size of 0.5 µm only when they are sintered and treated in the solid phase. A coarse-grained structure is formed when ICPAs are heated to temperatures at which a liquid phase appears. Fine-grained ICPAs are also characterized by high hardness (up to 240–260 HB).