Properties of a powder metallurgy low-alloy steel with varying fractions of large iron particles

Interiors of coarse iron particles in blends used in powder metallurgy may not be adequately alloyed during sintering. Relatively low concentrations of alloying elements reduce the hardenability of these regions, which may not transform to martensite during quenching. Since an actual microstructure (martensite, pores and pearlite) may differ from the desired microstructure (martensite and voids), it is reasonable to speculate that large and …