Powder metallurgy
We are active in the field of powder metallurgy in the area of obtaining advanced engineering and functional materials by sintering powders of metals, ceramics, metal matrix composites (MMCs), ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), nanolaminar multilayer carbides (MAX phases), and poorly sinterable materials using the FAST/SPS method. We conduct high-energy ball milling and mechanical synthesis of powders in a protective atmosphere with temperature and pressure control. Qualitative and quantitative studies of powders, bulk materials and thin coatings are carried out by X-ray diffraction XRD and GIXRD, thanks to access to the full ICDD PDF-4+ database.
Our products are used in the space industry, as well as in bioengineering or batteries. They are used to protect surfaces from corrosion or temperature.
SERVICES
1. Manufacture of materials by spark-plasma sintering technology
- The spark-plasma sintering method allows sintering under high temperature and high pressure conditions. This offers the possibility of non-stoichiometric synthesis and obtaining solid sinters.
- Rapid manufacturing of innovative materials difficult or impossible to obtain with traditional technologies
- Possibility of sintering materials with melting points above 3000°C in up to tens of minutes (from powder to finished sinter).
2. The largest SPS device in Poland
Parameter
Sintering temperature
Pressing force
Heating rate
Sinter diameter
Atmosphere
Value
up to 2200°C
up to 250 kN
up to 1000°C/min
up to80 mm
Ar, N2, H2, vacuum
HP D 25/3
3. High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM)
Powder preparation is a very important step in sintering or spraying processes. In our typical studies, we use high-energy ball milling and mechanical synthesis of powders. A specialist can control the temperature and pressure during the milling process. Phase transformations can be controlled by X-ray diffractometry.
Parameter
Rotation speed
Material of milling vessels and bowls
Maximum milling vessel capacity
Milling atmosphere
Value
up to 500 rpm
WC-Co, ZrO2, stainless steel
250 ml
Ar, N2, He, air
What else does powder metallurgy offer include?
Annealing in a protective or reducing atmosphere
It involves heating metal in a controlled gas environment (e.g. nitrogen, hydrogen), which prevents oxidation and allows the surface to be cleaned, improving the quality, uniformity of structure and mechanical properties of the material.
Vacuum drying
It involves removing moisture from materials under reduced pressure, which allows water to evaporate at a lower temperature, protecting sensitive substances from thermal degradation and oxidation.
Phase composition analysis (qualitative and quantitative) using XRD and GIXRD X-ray diffraction methods
Analysis of X-ray diffraction patterns reflected from an ordered crystal structure to identify material phases and their orientation.
Spark Plasma Sintering/SPS, spraying
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is a method of rapid sintering of powders using pulsed current and pressure, while spraying is a technique of applying coatings by depositing particles of material onto a substrate.
Vacuum Cold Spraying/VCS, Aerosol Cold Spray/ACS
Vacuum Cold Spraying (VCS) and Aerosol Cold Spray (ACS) are low-temperature spraying methods in which material particles are accelerated in a carrier gas (in a vacuum for VCS or in an atmosphere for ACS) and deposited on a substrate without melting.
MAX phases, cemented carbides, composite materials
MAX phases are layered materials combining the properties of metals and ceramics, sintered carbides are hard composite materials used in cutting tools, and composite materials are a combination of different components that improve mechanical properties.
Qualitative and quantitative phase analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD)
It involves identifying the phases of a material and determining their quantities by examining the diffraction patterns of X-rays reflected from the crystal structure.
Mechanical synthesis
This is the process of producing alloys by mechanically grinding powders of pure elements or alloys in high-temperature ball mills.
See also services in the field of heat and thermochemical treatment of metals.
Our expert:
Maria Wiśniewska
Phone: +48 61 657 05 55
Łukasiewicz research Network – Poznań Institute of Technology, Centre for Sustainable Economy, Research Group for Materials Engineering, 14 Jana Pawła II Street, 61 – 139 Poznań, Poland
