ULTRASONIC TREATMENT EFFECT ON THE CONSOLIDATION OF Fe-Cr PARTICLE MIXTURES AFTER COMPACTION AND SINTERING PROCESS

Fe-Cr microalloys which obtained by ultrasonic method are the initial cores for the consolidation process. Therefore its facilitate the formation of the homogeneous bulk of Fe-Cr alloy with a stable phase. In this research, the synthesis of bulk of Fe-Cr alloy from the particles mixture of (Fe+Cr) as the ultrasonic treatment results has been carried out. The particles consolidation has been carried out through a process of compaction without adding any lubricants and followed by sintering process in the quartz glass capsules by using induction furnace at 1300 °C. Consolidation of mixture of Fe-Cr particles that have not undergone previous ultrasonic treatment is also made for a comparison. The investigation by using the SEM (scanning electron microscope)- and density measurements method were preformed on the Fe-Cr green powders compaction. The bulk of Fe-Cr alloys that are produced trough sintering process was observed using SEM-EDS (energy dispersive spectroscopy), XRD (x-ray diffraction), and density measurements method. The bulk of Fe-Cr alloy prepared with ultrasonically treated Fe-Cr microalloy powders, is more homogeneous in composition and has a better phase stability in comparison to Fe-Cr powders prepared without the ultrasonic treatment. Production of bulk Fe-Cr alloy in quartz glass capsule during the sintering process has produced Fe-Cr alloy without oxides.