Reduction Annealing for Cast Iron Powder and Its Effect on Sintered Antifriction Material Properties

The effect of reduction annealing for powder obtained from cast iron shavings on powder specimen properties is studied. An approximate mechanism is suggested for the oxidation-reduction process during annealing of cast iron powder. An increase in annealing temperature leads to an increase in carbon gasification rate and change in absolute powder weight. Prior reduction annealing for cast iron powder improves its compactability, and increases the mechanical properties of sintered material. The best mechanical properties were obtained for specimen made from cast iron powder reduced at 1000°C. Alloying an iron-cast iron charge with 3 mass% of nickel-chromium alloy leads to a marked improvement in the mechanical properties of a sintered composite.