Vacuum sintering of Powders
Vacuum sintering of powders is the process of combining a powder into a single, solid object through sintering. Sintering occurs by heating the powder and creating a high temperature bond between particles through partial melting or plastic deformation. During the vacuum sintering process, the powder is heated in a vacuum chamber to create a vacuum environment. A vacuum prevents oxidation of the powder and oxygen sensitive components, while also reducing the amount of water vapor and other impurities in the chamber.
The powders to be sintered are placed in the vacuum chamber, which is then heated until it reaches the required temperature. The precise temperature, time and pressure needed for sintering will vary depending on the materials involved. Afterwards, the chamber is slowly cooled in order to prevent any cracking or weakening of the material.
In metal powder sintering, heated metal is combined with a non-metal component in order to form a metal-non-metal composite, e.g. metal/ceramics or metal/glass. These composites possess unique properties such as good mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity. This makes them an ideal component in a range of applications in electronics, automotive, aerospace and medical industries.
The key steps in the vacuum sintering process include mixing particles of metal and non-metal component, pressing the powder into a predetermined shape, sintering the powder in a vacuum chamber and finally cooling the component in order to optimally retain its mechanical and electrical properties. The choice of the powder, pressing and sintering parameters are crucial to ensure success and get a component with desired properties.
For many applications, vacuum sintering is the most economical and advantageous production method for a component. It is a cost-effective alternative to casting and machining, as it requires less energy and volume for production of a component. Furthermore, components formed via vacuum sintering are more precise in terms of size and shape, have greater mechanical strength and accuracy, and can withstand higher temperatures.
Vacuum sintering of powders provides an increasingly attractive route for solid state manufacturing due to its efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Vacuum sintering technology has improved substantially in recent years and continues to advance to meet the needs of an evolving range of application areas. With further developments, vacuum sintering of powders is expected to become further established and popular among a greater range of industries.
