Investigação das propriedades mecânicas da liga ferro-fósforo porosa

Abstract

The present work aimed to produce and test porous samples of a porous ferro-phosphor alloy through powder metallurgy. Three samples with different material percentages and different production processes were analyzed. Initially, the metal powder and the binder components were mechanically and thermally mixed until a homogeneous injection feedstock was obtained. The feedstock was then hot compacted to simulate the Metal Powder Injection Molding process in the form of cylinders 12 mm in diameter and 10 mm in height. Following, the samples 50:50 - Oven and 50:50 - Plasma with composition of 50 vol% Fe-4% P and 50 vol% binders were submitted to the chemical extraction process in Hexane bath. In addition, the samples were submitted to thermal extraction of the binder in a resistive furnace, except for the 50:50 - Plasma sample that was performed in the plasma reactor. Finally, the sintering step was performed at 1050 ºC in order to promote the consolidation of the metallic powder. After the sintering process, which was performed in the previous samples and in the sample 98: 2 - furnace with composition of 98 vol% Fe-4% P and 2 vol% binders, the research concludes with the investigation of the properties. mechanical, through compression tests. The results reported that the samples presented good mechanical resistance. In addition, the morphology of the starting material powders was investigated by electron microscopy and their effect on the microstructure and final porosity was evaluated by optical microscopy of the sintered samples. The porosity of the samples was relatively low up to 50%. The sample with the highest porosity was 50:50 - Plasma, due to the fact that plasma assisted thermal extraction pre-sintered the sample surface, leaving its interior more porous. Therefore, for applicability in bone prostheses the most suitable sample is 50:50 - Plasma. But in terms of mechanical strength, sample 98: 2 - Oven showed better performance.