Microstructural association between mechanical behavior with bending fracture surfaces in Astaloy CrA sintered parts alloyed by Cu and C

Application of powder metallurgy technique, a method presenting both economic and technical concepts for producing sintered parts, has been expanding in automobile and other engineering industries. Powder metallurgy parts usually possess residual porosity in their microstructures deteriorating mechanical performance. There have been many solutions to increasing of strength in these parts such as applying different heat treatment or adding alloying elements. It is well known that Fe-Cu-C is the one of main alloying system for both increasing the strength and decreasing cost of them. In this study, the microstructure, mechanical properties (transverse rapture strength and hardness), crack behavior and fracture modes of a low alloy Fe-Cr powder (Astaloy CrA) with different amount of copper (0, 1 and 2. wt.%) and carbon, in form of graphite (0.45, 0.6 and 0.8. wt.%) sintered at conventional condition have been investigated. Microstructural evolution showed adding copper and graphite as alloying elements could generate widespread of strength (857-1380. MPa) and hardness (170-295 HV5). Developing different phases in microstructure was the main reason for various mechanical properties. Crack coalescence phenomenon leads to fracturing with ductile (at sinter-necks) and brittle morphology. Micro-mechanism of fracture related to transparticle and interparticle crack propagation. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd