Effects of Heat-Treatment Conditions on Densification, Microstructure, and Magnetic Properties of Fe Powder

In this study, the effects of heat-treatment conditions on the densification, microstructure, and magnetic properties of Fe powder were investigated. The oxygen content of the Fe powders heat-treated in Ar and Ar-H2 atmosphere was much lower than that of the Fe powder heat-treated in air atmosphere. The density of the compacts of the Fe powder heat-treated in Ar and Ar + H2 atmosphere was higher than that of the compacts of Fe powders heat-treated in air. Oxygen content in the heat-treatment conditions played a significant role in the improvement of the densification and magnetic properties.