EFFECT OF TIN ADDITION ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF PM STEELS

In this work, the effects of TIN additions on the microstructures and tensile behaviors of microalloyed powder metallurgy (PM) steels were investigated. The microstructure of the microaloyed PM steels was characterized by optic microscope, SEM and EDS. Results indicated that the addition of TiN in the percentage of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.5 increases the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the PM steels in the sintered conditions. Elongation also tends to improve with increasing TiN content. In addition, TiN prevented grain growth during sintering prior to cooling.