16/09/2012 Pressing & Sintering

Material and Process Optimization for a Small Engine PM Connecting Rod

Powder metallurgy is known to be a cost-effective technology for manufacturing components with narrow tolerances as well as the required mechanical properties. The selection of the material and process that gives the best cost/performance ratio is a very important factor in becoming the preferred technology to fulfil the requirements of an application. Sintering, sinter hardening with carbon control and different heat treatment operations is all processes of prime interest from this point of view. This paper evaluates the influence of both the material and process conditions used to produce a small engine connecting rod. A range of materials processed by different methods are compared regarding static and dynamic performance, tolerances and cost for each process condition.