• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.265-272
• /
• 1998

For the purpose of investigating the effect of sintering atmosphere and carbon addition on sintered density and microstructural characteristics, the M3/2 grade high speed steel powders with the addition of carbon are sintered in vacuum and $20%H_2/79%N_2/l%CH_4$ gas atmosphere. With the addition of 0 wt%C, 0.45wt%C and 1.15 wt%C the optimum sintering temperatures decrease down to $1260^{\circ}C$, $1210^{\circ}C$ and $1150^{\circ}C$ respectively for the vacuum sintered specimen, and also decrease down to $1130^{\circ}C$, $1120^{\circ}C$ and $1115^{\circ}C$ for the gas sintered specimen. The threshold temperatures for full densification decrease steeply with increasing carbon content of the sintered specimen, while this temperatures are slowly decreased at high carbon content. The vacuum sintered specimen shows the primary carbides of MC and $M_6C$ type at the optimum sintering temperature, and eutectic carbides of $M_2C$ and Fe-Cr type are produced in the oversintered specimen. The gas sintered specimen exhibits M6C and Fe-Cr type primary carbides at the optimum sintering temperature. The eutectic carbides of $M_6C$ and Fe-Cr type and MX type carbonitride are shown for the oversintered specimen in the gas atmosphere. The hardness of gas sintered specimen shows high value of 830-860 Hv due to the increment of carbide precipitation.

• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.290-296
• /
• 2011

Titanium carbonitride is more perspective materials compared to titanium carbide. It can be used in tool industry and special products because of its higher strength, abrasive wear-resistance and especially its strong chemical stability at high temperatures. We produced STS+TiCxNy composite by the spark plasma sintering for higher strength and studied the characteristics. The planar and cross-sectional microstructures of the specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Characterizations of the carbon and nitride phases on the surface of composite were carried out using an X-ray diffractometer. During annealing TiCxNy particles diffusion into STS 430 was observed. After annealing, sintering isolations between particles were formed. It causes decreasing of mechanical strength. In addition when annealing temperature was increased hardness increased. Heterogeneous distribution of alloying elements particles was observed. After annealing composites, highest value of hardness was 738.1 MHV.

• Journal of Powder Materials
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2010

The ultrafine titanium carbonitride ($TiC_xN_y$) particles below 100 nm in mean size, including various carbon and nitrogen contents (x=0.55~0.9, y=0.1~0.5), were successfully synthesized by new Mg-thermal reduction process. Nanostructured sub-stoichiometric titanium carbide ($TiC_x$) particles were initially produced by the magnesium reduction of gaseous $TiCl_4+x/2C_2Cl_4$ at $890^{\circ}C$ and post heat treatments in vacuum were performed for 2 hrs to remove residual magnesium and magnesium chloride mixed with $TiC_x$. Finally, well C/N-controled $TiC_xN_y$ phases were successfully produced by nitrification heat treatment under normal $N_2$ gas atmosphere at $1150^{\circ}C$ for 2 hrs. The values of purity, mean particle size and oxygen content of produced particles were about 99.3%, 100 nm and 0.2 wt.%, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 2024

SCr420H steel which is commonly utilized for automotive components requires the carburizing heat treatment process. Abnormal grain growth during this treatment significantly affects the mechanical properties of the steel parts. Consequently, a process designed to prevent abnormal grain growth at certain elevated temperatures is essential. For enhanced grain refinement, we considered the addition of Nb in SCr420H steel. The experimental condition of the carburizing heat treatment involved reheating the steel sample to temperatures between 940℃ and 1080℃. Using scanning electron microscopy, we examined the microstructure of specimens treated with the secondary solution, revealing an organization of bainite and ferrite. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to determine the type, shape, and size of the carbonitrides, showing a high fraction of AlN at the secondary solution treatment temperature of approximately 1050℃ and of (Nb,Ti)(C,N) around 1200℃. AlN particles measured about 100 nm and (Nb,Ti)(C,N) about 50 nm. Optical microscopy was utilized to assess grain size variations at different secondary solution treatment temperatures. It is noted that the temperature at which abnormal grain coarsening occurred rose with increasing secondary solution treatment temperatures, indicating a greater influence of (Nb,Ti)(C,N) with higher heat treatment temperatures. This research provides reference data for preventing abnormal grain growth in Nb-added low alloy steels undergoing carburizing heat treatment.