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Metal injection furnace

Sintering

Expert solutions to help you succeed

For ferrous or non-ferrous metals, the use of nitrogen or hydrogen-based atmospheres can help you achieve the control and purity that are difficult to obtain with generated atmospheres. Nitrogen or hydrogen-based atmospheres help minimize the variations in atmosphere composition and dew point that are common with endothermic and dissociated ammonia atmospheres. Air Products has extensive experience in helping customers optimize and remotely monitor their sintering atmospheres to improve their operations.

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Carbon steel powdered metal parts entering a sintering furnace

Industrial Gases from a Global Leader

  • Global leading manufacturer of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon
  • World leading producer and supplier of hydrogen and helium
  • Reliable supply of industrial gases
  • Excellent record of meeting on-time needs
  • Industry leader in safety
  • Technical support when you need it
  • World-class customer service

Sintering Expertise and Solutions

Innovative atmospheric solutions
Air Products has developed solutions for more effective lubricant removal, copper infiltration and belt life extension
Customized solutions
Proper selection of the gas mixture type and amount allows for specific metallurgical properties, surface quality, and dimensional control
Consistent atmosphere compositions
With Air Products’ Atmosphere Solutions, variations in atmosphere composition and dew point, typical with endothermic atmospheres and dissociated ammonia, are minimized
Atmosphere trouble-shooting
Experienced applications engineers can identify and resolve furnace atmosphere issues that cause sooting, discoloration, decarburation, oxidation, etc.
Improved quality of sintered components
Air Products’ Atmosphere Solutions for sintering provide an excellent means to improve the quality of sintered components

Ask the Expert

Tom Philips

Tom Philips

Applications Engineer

“What determines the dew point reading measured in the hot zone of a sintering furnace?”

The dew point in the hot zone of a sintering furnace is a result of different sources of O₂ reacting with the available hydrogen, creating moisture. Assuming there are no cracks in the muffle, water leaks in the cooling sections, or contaminated supply gases, then the following are some known sources of O₂:

  • Diffusion of outside air through the front and exit ends of the furnace, which is influenced by the atmosphere flow rates, door height, exhaust hood designs, flame curtains and plant pressure conditions.
  • Air entrapped in the part, which is a function of part geometry.
  • O₂ content of the powder used, which is usually a known quantity as measured by the H₂ loss number of the powder.
  • Reduction of belt oxides. Reduction of metallic oxides present in brick-lined furnaces.

Once the dew point (H₂O %) is measured, we then can control the oxidation/reduction potential by controlling the amount of H₂ in the atmosphere, thereby adjusting the H₂/H₂O ratio as per the requirements of the material that is being sintered. If you are having a process issue that you think may be related to dew point, please call Air Products at 800-654-4567.

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CASE STUDY

The role of gas constituents in a sintering atmosphere is re-examined in order to optimize sintered properties of iron-carbon powder metal (PM) components.
Download Controlling Properties of Sintered Steel Powder Metal Components

HOW TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT OXIDATION PROBLEMS?"

Sintering applications: How to identify and correct oxidation problems?
AUDIO: Sintering Applications
Air Products technical expert in discussion with a customer

Industrial Gas Leak Detection and Repair Services

Through Air Products’ leak detection service, we can help you identify and repair costly nitrogen, argon, hydrogen, oxygen and helium gas leaks in your industrial gas piping system to improve your facility’s safety, quality and bottom line.
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Gases

Air Products gases, typically provided in gaseous and liquid form, enable customers in a wide range of industries to improve their environmental performance, product quality, and productivity.

Argon

Compressed argon gas and liquid argon in a variety of purities and in various modes of supply around the world thanks to our network of storage and transfill facilities.

Hydrogen

Valued for its reactive and protective properties, and used by many industries such as electronics, foods, glass, chemicals, refining and more can benefit from its unique properties to improve quality, optimize performance and reduce costs.

Nitrogen

Useful as a gas, for its inert properties, and as a liquid for cooling and freezing. Virtually any industry can benefit from its unique properties to improve yields, optimize performance and make operations safer.

Get in touch with one of our technical experts.

Contact us to put decades of experience with industrial gases, production, applications and equipment to work for you.

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