Abstract：Sinter hardening of PM components is well known as a cost-effective and feasible alternative to secondary heat treatment. Lots of application progress has been made in recent years. Nickel and molybdenum containing materials are very commonly used for sinter hardening application while increases and fluctuations in prices of nickel and molybdenum make manufacturers facing increased cost pressure. From this point of view， chromium-containing alloys show favorable prices and good hardenability， but limitations of atmosphere type and quality have influenced its wide application. To extend sinter hardening application and enhance competitiveness of PM technology， there is a strong need for cost effective alloys combined with robustness. Conventional and newly developed lean alloys including both Ni-Mo and Cr-Mo systems， and their achievable properties and dimensional consistency as well as material selection solutions under industrial conditions for typical PM applications were presented.
[1] E. Akpan, G. L' Esperance and L. Roy. Case Histories with Sinter Hardening Low Alloy Steel Powder[J]. Advances in Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials, 1993, 4:289.[2]H?gan?s Handbook for Sintered Components & Metallography [M], 1999.[3] U. Engstr?m. Evaluation of sinter hardening of different PM materials [J]. Advances in Powder metallurgy & Particulate Materials, 2000, 5:147 -157.[4] S. Berg, B. Maroli. Properties obtained by chromium-containing material [J]. Advances in Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials, 2002; 8: 1-14
2016, Vol. 26 
