Sintering Behavior and Mechanical Properties of High Speed Steel Powder Processed in Nitrogen-Based Atmosphere

High speed steel (hss) is a common material used in the manufacturing of cutting tool and other cutters. in this study, m3/2 hss had been used to produce cutting tool insert through powder metallurgy (pm) route. the hss was mixed with iron phosphorus (fe3p) powders in a tubular mixer for 30 minutes by dry blending. the powder was compacted at pressure of 632 mpa (16 ton) and sintered at temperature range between 1100°c and 1225°c under nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere. further work was done through heat treatment process involving austenitising and tempering to improve the mechanical properties of the insert. the properties were determined through hardness testing and transverse rupture strength (trs).