The production of scratch tips used for soil processing industry by microwave powder sintering and its characterization

Powder Metallurgy (P/M) is one of the most widely used technique for the metal shaping technology. Powder Metallurgy is a process of making pieces from particulates.In broader sence, powder metallurgy consist of shaping by pressing of metal powders and than sintering at specific temperature. Production of high quality intrecate shaped particles make powder metallurgy as a valuable process.Today, WC based metal-ceramic composites which were produced by powder metallurgy, are characterized by their high hardeness and strength properties. WC contained composites are generally used in cutter and scratchers due to their high hardeness and strength.This study produce new insight into composite material manufacturing. Such a production method allow to produce materials with lower cost equipments without great expenses. Developed production system eliminate high cost production equipments. Since the production method don?t need any expensive production facilites, small enter prices can easily apply these techniques in their firms and spread their goods to international markets. By production of such a material, dependency of our country to other countries will be decreased and it contributes to the local economy. Dependency of imported scratch tips will be decreased by the production of alternative local one.The main objective of this study is to produce composites by using WC, TiC and B4C with Ni, Co, Fe elements. Electroless coating technique was used to produce ceramic metal composites. Different studies were done on different compositions of (WC+Ni, Co, Fe, B4C) and (TiC+Co). Comparative studies were done betwen 2 µm and 10 µm WC powders. Electroless Ni plating of powders were done to produce metal-ceramic mixtures. Coated powders were weighed and mixed in mechanical mixer for 24 hour. 5 gr samples were pressed in cylindirical (15 mm dimeter, 2 to 5 mm height). 99% pure argon gas was used for sintering. Samples were sintered betwen 700-1100ºC. When special gas mixture of 90%N+10%H2 was used, samples were sintered betwen 1200ºC and 1400ºC. Results of experiment were compered with the literature.2011, 212 p.Keywords: Powder Metallurgy, Ceramic?Metal Composites, Electroless Nikel Plating, Pressing, Microwave Powder Sintering, Scratch Tips.