Solutions for high density PM components
Higher density is a key route for higher performance of PM components. With higher density strength and ductility of the sintered materials are improved. There are a number of possible routes for higher density such as high temperature sintering, copper infiltration, liquid phase sintering and double pressing. It is however attractive if high density can be achieved by single press and single sintering process and thus avoiding large shrinkage during sintering in order to keep close tolerances. Recent developments with more efficient lubricants and powder mixing concepts open up new possibilities to compact components to high density. The possibilities by combining high performance lubricants with warm compaction or warm die compaction will be presented in this paper.