Powder Metallurgy

Manufacture of products, which carries out powder metallurgy, is possible only on specialized equipment. Their nomenclature can be divided into products of structural, antifriction and special purpose. The latter is made from materials with special properties. Special purpose products can not be manufactured by alternative methods.

Powder metallurgy involves the production of products from metal powders. Such details are surprisingly accurate and do not require further processing.

At the same time, the technology of production itself does not apply to complex ones. It is based on an ancient method of making ceramics, the difference is only in the raw materials used. Due to the fact that this method is economical and simple, it quickly rose one step in competition with forging, casting, stamping and other methods of manufacturing metal parts.

Along with the fact that production is constantly being improved and developing, new technologies and materials are being mastered, and the range of products, including powder metallurgy products, is also growing.

If the factory accepts the order for manufacturing a new part, then it must develop a drawing of the future product on the basis of the customer's drawings, a drawing of the tooling and a press tool, the accompanying documentation. If necessary, the same plant performs research and experimental functions that ensure the initial development and testing of a new product. Additional equipment and a press tool are also manufactured.

The process of manufacturing parts

Powders are different. It is worth noting that such a variety, like powder steel, is not the hardest. Certain properties are given to powders depending on their further use. The process itself takes place in a special apparatus or ball mill, in which pieces of metal, chips, cuttings are crushed, and the created air streams cause these pieces to be rubbed off. Metals, which are low-melting, are sprayed in a liquid form, which is carried out by means of compressed air, which directs metal sprays onto a disk moving around in a circle. Frozen metal droplets are broken into even smaller particles. As a result, powders are obtained in the electrolysis bath or by chemical reactions.

Then the powder is poured into a mold of steel, and it is subjected to high pressure. Its particles are joined together, and a finished part is obtained. Next, sintering is carried out. In furnaces with a high temperature, the obtained elements are heated. Particles seem to merge, and a fairly dense and homogeneous mass is formed. So, the product is considered completely ready. Sometimes two processes come together, this saves time. In this case, the powder is heated to the desired temperature by current and pressed into the appropriate shape.

Scope of products

Powder metallurgy provides ample opportunities for the production of parts for various brands of cars. This method is used to produce:

• Transmission and steering parts;
• Components of the locking hardware;
• Spools, rotors, pump housings;
• Rotors for electric motors;
• Bushings, loose leaves, bearings;
• Asterisks, gears, flanges and much more.

In addition, the hardness of powder parts allows them to make cutting tools, heat resistance allows them to be used in the brake system of aircraft, agricultural machinery and cars. In order to obtain details corresponding to different characteristics, it is sufficient to mix powders of several metals. Such details are used in rocket engines, gas turbines, nuclear reactors.

Powder metallurgy makes it possible to produce metal compounds that can not be produced using melting furnaces. Its development is due to the fact that some metals can not be processed by standard methods. Currently, metal powders are mixed even with analogues of plastic, glass and minerals. This method allows you to get even more versatile in its properties of the product.