Publication Abstract

Sintered Tolerances and the Concomitant Demands on Green Body Homogeneity

German, R., Suri, P., Blaine, D., & Campbell, L. (2004). Sintered Tolerances and the Concomitant Demands on Green Body Homogeneity. Advances in Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials - 2004, Part 5. Princeton, NJ: Metal Powder Industries Federation. 1-10.

Abstract

Sintered materials are being projected into applications with total dimensional variations of 5 to 15 micrometers, for used in fiber optics, metal cutting, automotive fuel injectors, computer peripherals, transmission gears, and biomedical implants. These dimensional targets greatly tax the current production routes. Accordingly, new insight is needed in how to operate and control production processes to ensure net-shaping with tight dimensional control. This study invokes a mathematical link between green body mass homogeneity and sintered component dimensional scatter. In light of the model, data from die pressed and injection molded powders are analyzed for green mass variations and sintered size variations. The model provides guidelines for assessing research needs for process control, green body inspection, and computer simulation with respect to dimensional tolerance goals. Without attention to an improved infrastructure, the only means to hold tight tolerances is through secondary operations.