Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of FeCu-based matrix

To reduce the sintering temperature of Fe-based powder, CuZnSnMnSi powder binder was added in Fe-based powder, and the microstructure and properties of sintered matrix at different sintering temperatures were studied. Experimental results and analysis show that the sintered matrix is mainly composed of Cu-based solid solution, Fe-based solid solution and (Mn,Si)x·Oy composite phase. With the increasing of sintering temperature, the relative density of sintered matrix first increases and then decreases, the banded (Mn,Si)x·Oy composite phase gradually gather and grow into spherical shapes. With the increasing of sintering temperature, bending strength of sintered matrix decreases after rising first, and the maximum average bending strength is 683.6 MPa at the sintering temperature of 750 ℃. Bending strength of sintered matrix depends mainly on the relative density and banded (Mn,Si)x·Oy composite phase. The presence of interfacial pores and banded or large-sized spherulitic (Mn,Si)x·Oy composite phase is the main reason for decrease of bending strength.