Iron-based powder and composition thereof

Abstract

A water-atomized iron-based powder is provided that is pre-alloyed with 0.75-1.1% by weight of Ni, 0.75-1.1% by weight of Mo and up to 0.45% by weight of Mn, and further including 0.5-3.0%, preferably 0.5-2.5% and most preferably 0.5-2.0% by weight of Cu, and inevitable impurities, the balance being Fe. An alloyed iron-based powder composition including a water-atomized iron-based powder

1 . A water-atomized iron-based powder pre-alloyed with Ni and Mo at contents by weight-%: 0.75-1.1 Ni, 0.75-1.1 Mo, and Mn<0.45, the iron-based powder further including 0.5-3.0% by weight of Cu and inevitable impurities, the balance being Fe. 
     
     
         2 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of Mo is more than 0.8 weight-%. 
     
     
         3 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of Mn is less than 0.35 weight-%. 
     
     
         4 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion or the total amount of Cu is diffusion bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         5 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 4 , wherein all of the Cu is diffusion bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         6 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein at least portion of the total amount of Cu is bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder by means of a binding agent. 
     
     
         7 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 6 , wherein all of the Cu is bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder by means of a binding agent. 
     
     
         8 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion or the total amount of Cu is admixed to the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         9 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 8 , wherein all of the Cu is admixed to the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         10 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of C in the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder is at most 0.02 weight-%. 
     
     
         11 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , wherein the content of 0 in the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder is at most 0.25 weight-%. 
     
     
         12 . An alloyed iron-based powder composition comprising a water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , graphite in an amount of 0.4-0.9 weight-%, lubricants and optionally other additives. 
     
     
         13 . An alloyed iron-based powder composition containing a water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 1 , graphite in an amount of 0.4-0.9 weight-%, lubricants and optionally other additives wherein at least one of graphite, lubricants and optionally other elements are bonded to the surface of Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         14 . Method for producing a component comprising: a. providing a powder metallurgical composition according to  claim 12 , b. compacting the powder metallurgical composition; and c. sintering the compacted powder metallurgical composition in a reducing or neutral atmosphere, at an atmospheric pressure or below, and at a temperature above 1000° C. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14  wherein in b) the compaction pressure is up to 2000 MPa. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 14  wherein in c) the sintering temperature is performed at a temperature range of 1000° C. to 1400° C. 
     
     
         17 . A sintered component produced from the alloyed iron-based powder composition according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         18 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 2 , wherein the content of Mn is less than 0.35 weight-%. 
     
     
         19 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion or the total amount of Cu is diffusion bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         20 . A water-atomized iron-based powder according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion or the total amount of Cu is diffusion bonded to the surface of the Ni- and Mo-alloyed Fe-powder. 
     
     
         21 . Method for producing a component comprising: a. providing a powder metallurgical composition according to  claim 13 , b. compacting the powder metallurgical composition; and c. sintering the compacted powder metallurgical composition in a reducing or neutral atmosphere, at an atmospheric pressure or below, and at a temperature above 1000° C. 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 15  wherein in c) the sintering temperature is performed at a temperature range of 1000° C. to 1400° C. 
     
     
         23 . A sintered component produced from the alloyed iron-based powder composition according to  claim 12 .