Verifying the Master Sintering Curve on an Industrial Furnace

Blaine, D. C., Park, S. J., German, R., LaSalle, J., & Nandi, H. (2005). Verifying the Master Sintering Curve on an Industrial Furnace. Proceedings of the 2005 International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials, Metal Powder Industries Federation, Princeton, NJ. 1.13-1.19.

Abstract

The Master Sintering Curve is a simple means of predicting density evolution during sintering. This model relies on the work-of-sintering concept, a time-temperature integral, to predict the degree to which a compact has approached the theoretical density limit. The model is characterized through a series of constant heating rate dilatometry experiments. In this paper, we verify that although the model is based on laboratory scale measurements, it is applicable to manufactured parts sintered in an industrial furnace. The research includes incorporating the model in furnace monitoring software that shows real-time density evolution in the factory setting. As an example, we use gas-atomized 17-4PH stainless steel, injection-molded using a water-based binder into thick bars and sintered in a pusher furnace in hydrogen.