Copper is a well know material for use as heat sink or heat exchanger. However, copper has a considerable low tensile strength and temperature limit. A material that has a good thermal conductivity, low cost, but also resistance is the desired. Effects of copper on the sintering and thermal properties of iron-copper composites produced by powder metallurgy and Fe on copper-iron composites have been investigated. Copper and iron were varied from 20 to 80 vol.% in the samples, alternating the continuous phase. Sintering studies were performed by in-situ dilatometry aiming to define the proper conditions for sintering, without swelling normally associated with copper. Results indicate that the type of sintering, final microstructure, specially the phases relation and distribution and not only the amount of copper, have a great effect into the thermal properties. By controlling the sintering parameters, it is possible to obtain dimensionally stable samples with higher thermal conductivity and lower copper amount.

A moldagem de pós por injeção é um processo de fabricação de elevada produtividade que possibilita obter componentes de geometria complexa, estreita precisão dimensional e boas propriedades mecânicas. Neste processo, uma mistura de uma determinada quantidade de pós e ligantes orgânicos (polímeros, ceras e óleos) é obtida por meio de uma massa de injeção (feedstock) o qual tem características reológicas adequadas para promover a injeção desta massa em uma cavidade de um molde. A produção de ligas de níquel por meio deste processo é uma alternativa para produção de produtos que requerem aplicações avançadas onde se exige resistência a corrosão e oxidação, resistência mecânica a altas temperaturas e baixo coeficiente de atrito. Neste trabalho apresentamos um estudo das propriedades microestruturais e mecânicas de uma liga de níquel (Ni-Fe-Cr-P) processada via moldagem de pós por injeção, utilizando pós de níquel carbonila com e sem a presença de fase líquida durante a sinterização. Os resultados foram comparados com a mesma liga processada por compactação de pós. Os resultados demonstraram a necessidade de maior quantidade de matéria orgânica para o desenvolvimento da massa de injeção (feedstock: 15% m/m de polímero) para os tipos de pós metálicos utilizados (níquel carbonila do tipo INCO 123) se comparado ao feedstock de ligas comerciais que normalmente utilizam uma quantidade menor de matéria orgânica (feedstock: 9% m/m de polímero). A maior quantidade de matéria orgânica necessária para a preparação do feedstock deve-se a morfologia dos pós empregados (superficie rugosa - tipo spiky) que promove retenção de carbono durante o processo de extração, ocasionando a necessidade de otimização do ciclo de extração térmica e sinterização. Ciclos mais lentos e a baixa temperatura promoveram a total retirada dos ligantes. A liga de Ni-Fe-Cr-P injetada apresentou contração de aproximadamente 50%, além de elevado teor de poros quando comparado ao material compactado, o que influenciou as propriedades mecânicas e dureza aparente do material.

The powder injection molding is a manufacturing process that allows high productivity to obtain complex geometry components, dimensional accuracy and good mechanical properties. In this process, a mixture of a quantity of powders and organic binders (polymers, waxes, oils) is obtained through injection of a mass (feedstock) which has rheological properties suitable for promoting the injection of this mass in a cavity of a mold. The production of nickel alloy by this process is an alternative to production of products that require advanced applications, which require resistance to corrosion and oxidation, mechanical strength at high temperatures and low coefficient of friction. This paper we present the study of the microstructural and mechanical properties of a nickel alloy (Ni-Fe-Cr-P) processed by powder injection molding, using carbonyl nickel powders with and without the presence of liquid phase during sintering. The results are compared with the alloy processed by powder compaction. The results demonstrate the need for increased amount of organic matter for developing the injection mass (feedstock: 15 wt.% polymer) for the types of metallic powders used (nickel INCO type 123 carbonyl) compared to commercial alloy feedstock typically use a smaller amount of organic matter (feedstock: 9 wt.% polymer). The largest quantity of organic matter needed for the preparation of the feedstock due to the morphology of the powders used (spiky) which promoted carbon retention during the extraction process, resulting in the need to optimize the extraction cycle and thermal sintering. Slower cycles and low temperature promoted the complete extraction of the ligands. The Ni-Fe-Cr-P alloy injected showed shrinkage of approximately 50%, and high levels of pores as compared to the compacted material, which influenced the mechanical properties and apparent hardness of the material.

The purpose of this work was to develop nickel self-lubricating composites using solid lubricant as second phase and obtained by powder metallurgy. The work involved the study of chemical stability and chemical interaction between the nickel alloy matrix and solid lubricating additives (molybdenum disulfide, graphite and hexagonal boron nitride). The results showed a thermodynamic stability during sintering for the composites containing the phases of graphite and hexagonal boron nitride. The presence of molybdenum disulfide phase permits a reaction with the matrix, the formation of a liquid phase of nickel sulfide and the solubilization of molybdenum in the matrix.