Densification and Shape Distortion of the Al-Cu-Mg Pre-alloyed Powder Compact in Supersolidus Liquid Phase Sintering Process

Abstract

In this research, densification and shape distortion of the Al-Cu-Mg (Al2024) pre-alloyed powder compact in the supersolidus liquid phase sintering (SLPS) process were investigated. The effect of Sn on the sintering process was also studied. The powders were compacted at pressures ranging from 100 to 500 MPa in a cylindrical die. The sintering process was performed in a dry N2 atmosphere at various temperatures (580-620 ̊C) for 30 min at a heating rate of 10 ̊C min. Results showed that the onset of the densification process was observed at 600 ̊C and the onset of distortion occurred at 610 ̊C. Addition of 0.1 wt. % Sn to the alloy has increased the distortion of the samples produced from Al-Cu-Mg pre-alloyed powder, but their densification has been improved. The compact pressure of 200 MPa caused the complete densification at the optimum sintering temperature and the compact pressures greater than 200 MPa; the sintered density was independent of green density.