The Sintering Of Metal Powders - Copper

THIS study was carried out with copper because it represents the simplest form of sintering, in that but one metal is involved and all reactions occur in the solid state. [ ] The present work will cover three variables affecting the sintering process; namely, briquetting pressure, sintering temperature and time in hot zone. Although strength and dimensional changes were observed, this is primarily a metallographic study of the sintering process in copper. The term "sintering" should be understood to mean the process by which the metal powder particles of the compact become united into one body. MATERIAL USED The copper powder used was made from reduced copper oxide, and is typical of a grade used for the mass production of parts formed of metal powders. The screen analysis of the powder was as follows: [ ] The minus 325-mesh analysis was made by using a Roller Air Analyzer.1,2 The apparent density is here defined as the weight per cubic centimeter of the [ ] loose, unpacked powder as measured with the Hall flowmeter. The value for the powder used was 2.57 grams per cubic centimeter.