Physical, structural and mechanical characterization of Fe-10wt. %Ni-5wt. %Cu alloys manufactured by powder metallurgy (P/M) technology

Porosity of alloys produced by powder metallurgy remarkably reduces their strength. This study characterizes the effect of addition of 10wt%Ni and 5wt%Cu particles to Fe powder performing an Iron base alloy using P/M technique. The microstructure of the alloy was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The relative density of the alloy fabricated at different parameters was investigated. Microstructural characterization of the alloy shows a low porosity and existence of spheroid oxide particles. Also EDS elemental analysis reveals a uniform distribution of Ni and Cu within the Fe matrix. In addition, the results reveal that the relative density and hardness increase with increasing the fabrication parameters; pressure and sintering temperature when the time is kept constant and their maximum values were obtained when that alloy fabricated at compaction pressure 700 MPa and sintering temperature 1200°C for 90 min.