Powder metallurgy is a very useful manufacturing process for parts designed with hard-to-machine geometries. The process includes pressing a metal powder into the rough shape and then sintering it just below the melting temperature of the alloy.
The metallographic specimen preparation of powder metallurgy samples is affected by the specimen’s composition, packing and sintering conditions. Microstructural features of interest include: porosity, grain size, inclusions and orientation of voids. Proper metallurgical preparation takes into account that the microstructure may be porous and perhaps somewhat brittle due to inadequate sintering conditions.
SECTIONING
MAXCUT Abrasive blade (Cat. No. MAX-E or MAX-I series)
MOUNTING
Castable mounting with epoxies or acrylics using vacuum impregnation
POLISHING
Abrasive/surface |
Lubricant |
Force/ sample |
Speed |
Time |
| 30 um DIAMAT diamond suspension on Metal Mesh cloth | DIALUBE Diamond Extender | 5 lbs | 200/200 rpm |
Until plane |
| 9 um DIAMAT diamond on POLYPAD polishing pad | DIALUBE Diamond Extender | 5 lbs | 200/200 rpm |
3 minutes |
| 6 um DIAMAT diamond on TEXPAN polishing pad | DIALUBE Diamond Extender | 5 lbs | 200/200 rpm |
3 minutes |
1 um DIAMAT diamond on ATLANTIS polishing pad |
DIALUBE Diamond Extender |
5 lbs |
200/200 rpm |
3 minutes |
0.05 um NANOMETER Alumina on TRICOTE polishing pad |
|
5 lbs |
100/100 rpm |
1 minute |
 |
Sintered Iron, Mag. 100x (B.F.), as polished
|