Starch Consolidation as a New Process for Manufacturing Powder Metallurgy High-Speed Steels

The development of a new method called “starch consolidation,” suitable for the production of powder metallurgy (P/M) high-speed steel (HSS) components has been studied. Samples have been consolidated using 1.5, 3.5, and 5vol pct starch and up to 60vol pct powder. The high solid loading was achieved by stabilizing the repulsive forces with a small addition (0.01wt pct) of a dispersant (polyacrylic acid) that resulted in accurate fluidity and consolidation of the prepared slurries. After shaping of the samples, the bending strength of the green bodies was evaluated. Debinding cycles were optimized by comparing carbon and oxygen content in argon, in N₂-5H₂, and in pure hydrogen. The three atmospheres showed no significant differences in carbon elimination. To determine the influence of H₂ in a nitrogen-rich atmosphere during sintering, tests were performed at 1230°C in a N₂-5H₂ and in a nitrogen atmosphere. Pure nitrogen resulted in a microstructure formed by smaller carbides. Heat treatments were performed on the samples with the compositions that gave the best combination of properties. A hardness of 800HV and a bending strength of 1475MPa were obtained.