Sintering
is primarily the process of using heat or pressure to compact and
form a solid mass without melting the solid to the point of
liquefaction. The temperature used for the sintering process is
always below the melting point of the major component present in the
powdered metal. Sintering is the most widely used process in the
powder metallurgy industry as it enhances various properties of
metals including electrical conductivity, strength, thermal
conductivity and translucency. In addition, sintering also aids in
reducing the porosity of the metal. During the process of sintering,
the powdered metal particles are bonded through diffusion and the
resulting porous body acquires the desired mechanical strength. The
process of sintering is governed by various parameters including
temperature and time, the composition of the powdered mix, the
geometrical structure of various powdered particles, and composition
of the atmosphere in the sintering furnace and the density of the
powder compact.
The
other attributes that are imparted to the powder metal due to
sintering are also discussed in this report. During sintering, the
powdered metal particles bond through diffusion, thereby imparting
mechanical strength to the porous body. Hence, the reason for
sintering to be one of the most widely used industrial techniques for
a betterment of capabilities of metals. Ferrous and non-ferrous
metals are ideally suitable for sintering; however, rare earth
intermetallic, ceramics, and cermet are also suitable for sintering.
View
of Future Market Structure for Sintering Process at:
http://bit.ly/2gaaJcw
The
sintering process is solely driven due to the powder metallurgy
industry. Growth of this technology is anticipated to be steady over
the next few years. Sintering is a widely used in various end-user
industries for the manufacture of sintered parts including the
automotive industry, construction industry and the electronics and
electrical industry among others. The sintering process imparts some
desired properties that the metal lacks. Sintering increases the life
of the metal and enhances its strength, conductivity etc. However,
other technologies are likely to replace sintering over the next few
years due to the harmful effects it causes to the environment and
health. Several government regulations on the usage of the sintering
process are being implemented. However, technological developments in
the sintering industry, has ensured that this process has found a
wide range of end user applications in various end user industries.
Asia
Pacific will display a robust growth in the sintering process
industry during the forecast period, says the report. The flourishing
automotive and construction industry in the emerging economies if
China, Indonesia, and India are reasons for the same. North America
and Europe will register a downward growth trend in the sintering
industry due to stringent regulations to monitor harmful emissions
using sintering. Some of the key players manufacturing sintered metal
parts include GKN Sinter Metals and Pacific Sintered Metals among
others.
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