Liquid Phase Sintering of Leaded Tin Bronze Alloyed Powder.

The effect of liquid phase sintering on the densification, shrinkage and microstructural characteristics of Cu– Sn–Pb alloyed powder was studied by powder metallurgy processing. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature on phase transformation and liquid phase sintering of the leaded tin bronze compact. Microstructures of sintered samples were analyzed and were used to determine the gravity effect on liquid phase settling and microstructural heterogeneity that caused distortion and graded structure. Also, fragmentation and rearrangement of the particles were detected. A capillary force caused the breakdown of weak solid–solid bonds that were formed by heating. It was concluded that persistent liquid phase sintering inside the Cu–Sn–Pb partially alloyed powder and supersolidus liquid phase sintering were responsible for all described events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]