Production and characterization of zamak-5 alloy by gas atomization method

In this study, an alloy containing zinc aluminum magnesium and copper main components called zamak-5 was used. The production of the zamak-5 alloy by gas atomization method, the examination of the powder characteristics after the production of the powders, the pressing of the formed powders into the mold and the sintering processes were applied to produce the product. The melted alloy was pulverized in the gas atomization unit using two different pressures, 14 and 16 bar. The best efficiency in dust production was determined as 80.41% in the production made with 16 bar gas pressure. In the powder size measurements, the average powder size was 62.1 μm at 14 bar pressure, while the average powder size was measured as 73,2 μm in the production made at 16 bar pressure. SEM images of the powders were examined and here, spherical structure was observed in the powders, and rod-like and scaly structures were also found. The powders were molded and compressed in an 80-ton press at 300, 350 and 400 MPa pressures. The samples obtained by pressing were subjected to sintering process at 250, 300 and 350 °C for 3, 6 and 9 hours. SEM images of the samples were examined, hardness and compression tests were carried out. As a result of these experiments, the hardness value of the sample, which was compressed with 400 MPa and sintered at 350 °C for 9 hours, was determined as 68.9 HB and yield strength value as 105 MPa.