The Sintering Behaviour of Fe-Mn-C Powder System, Correlation between Thermodynamics and Sintering Process, Mn Distribution, Microstructure

Sintering behavior of the Fe-0.8Mn-0.5C powder system was studied on the specimens with a density of ${\sim}7.0g/cc$ sintered at $1120^{\circ}C$ for 30 min in a gas mixture of $7%H_2/93%N_2$ with the inlet dew point of $-60^{\circ}C$. During the atmosphere monitoring ($CO/CO_2$-content and dew point) was showed, that carbothermical reduction occurs in two different temperature ranges; three peaks of dew point profile also can be distinguished during sintering cycle as well. Following sintering the Mn-content distribution and microstructures around the Mn-source were micro-analytical evaluated; the results showed that manganese travels through porous iron matrix up to ${\sim}60{\mu}m$.