Powder metallurgy (P/M) offers a highly reliable, cost-effective way of manufacturing ferrous and non ferrous parts ranging from tool and die materials to oil-impregnated bushings. Because P/M parts can be produced at-or very close to-final dimensions and can be coined or forged for higher density and strength than parts manufactured conventionally, P/M is in many applications a superior process. It is also an energy and materials conserving process. P/M typically uses 97 percent of the starting raw material in the finished part. Global competition that has stimulated parts manufacturers to focus on improving quality and reducing manufacturing costs has stimulated an increase in the use of powder metallurgy and spurred advances in the field. The Powder Materials Laboratory at Illinois Institute of Technology offers a resource for keeping abreast of changes, developing and testing materials for specific applications, developing and modifying technology, manufacturing prototype or special parts, and developing or enhancing your knowledge base in the field.
True powder density by helium
pycnometerSurface area by multipoint
BET analysisThermogravimetric analysisParticle size distribution
by sieve analysis and centrifugal
sedimentation apparatusApparent density, tap density
and flow rateCompressibilitySampling by sieving rifflerPowder morphology by scanning
electron microscopy
Synthesis
Mechanical alloying in batch
quantities from 1 gram to 1 kgA 4 ton automatic cold die
press2 50 ton platen pressesA 1200C, 120 MPa hot pressA 210 MPa cold
isostatic press (6"x24" chamber)40' pusher sintering furnace
with hydrogen/nitrogen atmosphere control systemLaboratory scale vacuum and
controlled atmosphere furnacesVacuum
induction furnaceGreen density, green strengthSintered strength by 3-point
bend and tensile testsMicrohardnessImpact and fatigue testsPore and grain size and distribution
by optical and scanning electron microscopyRetained austenite, texture
and phase analysis by X-ray diffractionChemical analysis by energy
dispersive spectrometryMPIF Standard Test Methods:
02, 03, 04, 05, 10, 15, 28,
40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49 51, 52, 53Hot isostatic pressingThermodynamic modeling of sinteringFinite element analysis: stress
analysis of parts; analysis of compaction processHeat transfer modelingMagnetic field modelingDiffusion modelingIIT Powder Metallurgy Laboratory affiliates ($1,000 annual dues) qualify for the following benefits:
Discounts on contract research
feesAccess to library information
services (includes 2 computerized literature searches)Annual report of the Powder
Materials Laboratory containing detailed reports of non-proprietary research
performedAdvance information about new
coursesOur education program includes regular undergraduate IIT courses such
as Powder Metallurgy (METM 413), Powder Metallurgy Laboratory (METM 416)
and Composites (METM 475); other courses relevant to P/M technology and
materials analysis, short courses, and review courses for the powder materials
certification exams.
IIT has recently introduced the Interprofessional Projects Program
as part of our undergraduate curricculum. This program provides a real-world
project-based team experience with balanced company and faculty mentoring.
For information on how your company can participate in this program contact
Professor Philip Nash.
Companies and government agencies we have done or are doing P/M research or consulting for include:
Director of the Powder Materials Laboratory, Philip Nash, Ph.D., is a professor of metallurgical and materials engineering at IIT who teaches P/M lecture and laboratory courses. An active researcher as well as teacher, Professor Nash has served as a research adviser to dozens of graduate students, and has been an instructor in MPIF short courses and helped organize international P/M conferences. He is a member of the APMI and a consultant for industry. Finite Element Modeling is performed by Guiru Liu Nash, who is a consultant in this area to industry.
P. Khedkar, "Evaluation of
Cooling Rate & Hot Pressing of Rapidly Solidified U700"S.N. Patel, "The Effect of
Type and Particle Size Distribution of Iron Powders on Compressibility"A. Patel, "Processing and Mechanical
Properties of Particulate and Fiber Reinforced Intermetallic (B2 NiAl)
Matrix Composites"P. Desch, "Synthesis of Trialuminides
by Mechanical Alloying"N. Dillinger "Processing Parameters
for Mechanical Alloying Using a Triple Arm Attritor Mill"S.J.
Hwang, "The Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mechanically
Alloyed NiAl-based Alloys"R. Bielinda "Control of Sintering
Atmospheres Using Thermodynamic Calculations"H. Ardy "Consolidation of Mechanically
Alloyed Intermetallic Powders"S. Wu "Synthesis of Composite
Intermetallic Powders by Mechanical Alloying"H. Kim,
"A Study of Mechanically Alloyed Titanium Aluminides"H.
Choo, "Synthesis of Mechanically Alloyed NiAl/Alumina composites."C.J. Wen, "The Influence of
Sintering Atmospheres and Boron additions on the Sintering and Mechanical
Properties of FCO208."S. C.
Ur, "Secondary Recrystallization and Grain Growth in Mechanically Alloyed
NiAl"For information on how you can use IIT's P/M resources please call,
write, e-mail or fax
Professor Philip Nash
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering,
Illinois Institute of Technology
10 West 32nd St., Room 238
Chicago, IL 60616-3793
Telephone: (312) 567-3056 Fax: (312) 567-8875
