Vacuum Hot Treatment of Molybdenum Powder
Molybdenum powder vacuum hot treating process is often used in hot pressing to acquire the final required shape and feature. In this process, molybdenum powder is heated in a vacuum at high temperatures and pressures, which changes its internal structure and physical properties. This process yields stronger, tougher parts and allows for more consistent and repeatable production results with tight tolerance specs.
During the vacuum hot treatment process, molybdenum powder is placed into a vacuum furnace and heated to the desired temperature and pressure. As the particles in the molybdenum powder become hotter, their atomic bonds stretch and break. Unstable iron and oxygen impurities are removed and the surface area of the molybdenum powder grows greatly, causing the powder to become more porous and pliable. The desired properties such as thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and mechanical strength can be adjusted by varying the conditions that the molybdenum powder is exposed to during hot treating.
After the vacuum hot treating process, the molybdenum powder is sintered. Sintering gives the molybdenum its dimensional stability, enabling it to be formed into the needed shape for eventual use. Sintering also increases the strength, reduces the porosity and decreases the permeability of the powder.
When used for high-temperature or wear-resistant parts, the performance of the molybdenum powder is further improved through a post-sinter tempering process. Tempering further modifies the internal structure by further fracturing and redistributing the surface area of the molybdenum particles, which increases its life and wear resistance.
Overall, Vacuum Hot Treatment is an essential process for creating the optimal properties of molybdenum powder for use in a variety of industrial applications. By adjusting the conditions of the treatment process, the internal structure of the particles can be altered, resulting in parts that have material strengths tailored to the desired use. Vacuum Hot Treatment allows for higher levels of functionality, leading to greater production efficiencies.
