Papers by Author: Lucio Salgado

Abstract: In this work, the effect of sintering atmosphere on the corrosion resistance of sintered titanium has been evaluated in 0.9 % aqueous NaCl solution to simulate physiological environment. Corrosion tests were performed on titanium porous sintered under vacuum and vacuum plus dynamic argon. The results showed better passive properties associated to the titanium sintered under argon plus vacuum atmosphere than to the vacuum sintered titanium. The better corrosion resistance of the argon plus vacuum sintered titanium was attributed to the formation of a thin passive film on the titanium surface during sintering due the low oxygen content present in this atmosphere.

Abstract: Several materials have been used as surgical implants since the 16th century. Materials can be implanted in the human body; however, the choice of the appropriate material is based on the required mechanical, physical, chemical, and biological properties. Until now two classes of metals namely stainless steel and cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloys became known as materials for implant applications. They were considered suitable for surgical implant procedures but many researchers and surgeons were not completely satisfied with their performance. The main problem of the modern science is to find a material that perfectly restores tissues damaged after accidents or diseases. The trend of the current research in orthopedic prosthesis is based on the development of titanium alloys composed of non-toxic elements with low modulus of elasticity. Powder metallurgy techniques have beenused to produce controlled porous structures such as the porous coating applied for dental and orthopedic surgical implants which allows bone tissue grown within the implant surface, improving fixation. The development of porous metallic biomaterials associated with their biomedical applications is an important research area. To obtain a good one implant successful therapy the composition, size, form and topography of the alloys are extremely important.

Abstract: In plain iron powder or powder mixtures sintering process, it is very important to control the dimensional change. In the sintering associated events, such as lubricant removal, atomic motion and phase transformation could change dimensions over a wide range. Dilatometric analysis has shown that most contributions in the dimensional change in the sintering of iron powder mixtures were due to the combination of several effects occurring in all stages of the processing, including the heating and cooling stages. The present paper has the objective of studying the dimensional behavior and to determine the transformation temperature of a composite powder mixture of a plain iron powder with various additions of high-alloyed steel, carbon, nickel and lubricant powders, during sintering by dilatometric analysis.

Abstract: Liquid phase sintering of high speed steels seems to be a cheaper processing route in the manufacturing of tool steels if compared to the well-known and expansive hot isostatic pressing high speed steels process. In a previous work a M3:2 high speed steel was vacuum sintered from irregular water atomized powders and had its sintering temperature determined. In this work the same powder was uniaxially cold compacted and vacuum sintered by adding some small quantity of graphite (0.3%C in weight) to prevent porosity and loss of carbon which result from the sintering cycle. The samples from all these experimental procedures were uniaxially cold compacted and vacuum sintered at five different temperatures and had its densities evaluated. The microstructure was evaluated using optical-electronic techniques in order to investigate the best range of sintering temperature. At least five parallel samples were tested to each condition of sintering.

Abstract: Osseointegrable surgical implants are usually made on titanium or titanium alloys. The osseointegration process is improved by surface conditioning of these implants, increasing surface area with no loosing of bio-compatibility, i.e., without contamination by non bio-compatible materials. The surface conditioning of these implants might be accomplished in different ways: blasting, chemical etching, deposition, etc. Two alternatives considering titanium powders are discussed in this work: blasting and plasma spraying deposition. Results are presented in terms of topography of osseointegrable surgical implants through scanning electron microscopy techniques.

Abstract: This work presents aspects related to new sintered materials for valve seat inserts application. Two types of materials were evaluated. The materials were made using powder metallurgy technique from a basic mixture of high-speed steel (AISI M3/2), iron and carbide powders. The microstructures of these materials before and after heat treatment are presented. Under the heat treatment condition, the activation of the diffusion mechanism among phases was promoted and a better distribution of the Cu phases along the matrix was achieved. The results indicate that the materials under development have a potential for commercial application as valve seat inserts.

Abstract: The heat treatment of high speed steel tools consists of austenitizing, quenching and tempering. The size of austenite grains formed during the hardening treatment is an important factor in the final microstructure of the steel, and it also affects properties such as wear resistance and toughness. This paper presents the austenite grain size, matrix composition and hardness of commercial AISI M2, AISI T15, VWM3C and Sinter 23 high speed steels that were austenitized and quenched from five distinct temperatures. This study shows that increase in quenching temperature results in grain growth of steels such as AISI M2 and VWM3C, obtained by the conventional method (cast to ingot and worked). The P/M Sinter 23 high speed steel showed a slight grain growth (about 10%). This effect was not observed in AISI T15 obtained by the powder metallurgy process.

Abstract: Austenitic stainless steel filters are mostly used when there is an aggressive environment condition, especially when good corrosion and mechanical resistance at relatively high temperature are required. These filters are usually obtained from non-spherical, mostly atomized powders by cold pressing and sintering. In order to achieve an adequate performance concerning permeability, powders with a narrow range of particle size should be used. However, besides particle size distribution, apparent density of the selected powder, which can be adjusted by the particle size, shape and distribution, affects the performance of the final product. Particle size distribution, particle shape and particle surface roughness control apparent density. This work presents some results on the evaluation of such effect.

Abstract: The effect of quenching heat treatments on the microstructure of cast and worked commercial steel AISI M2 and hot isostatically pressed as well as IPEN vacuum sintered AISI T15 have been studied. The quenching treatments were carried out from 1160, 1185, 1210 and 1235°C. The average grain size, volume fraction and average size of the primary carbides M6C and MC were determined by scanning electron microscopy and by using the digital image analysis method "Quantikov". An increase in average austenite grain size with increase in quenching temperature was observed for the AISI M2 commercial steel and vacuum sintered specimens. In the case of the AISI T15 steel specimens, increase in quenching temperature did not result in an increase in average grain size, both for the commercial and the vacuum sintered steels. The average size and volume fraction of M6C and MC carbides remained unaltered with increase in quenching temperature.

Abstract: This article shows some fabrication aspects related to the obtention of sintered valve seat insert. This insert was made of a mixture of high-speed steel powders and iron powders plus NbC. This is a new development aiming the substitution of Co alloys currently used for valve seat inserts. The physical properties, mechanical properties and machining behaviour are discussed. The machining characteristics in terms of tool wear, cutting forces and chips morphology of the insert was compared to available commercial insert. The machining results indicate that the material under development has potential for commercial application and shows good machining evidences, in terms of equivalent cutting forces for ceramic tool. In addition, the machining using hard metal tool was susceptible to hardness variation observed for the material under development. Therefore, the machining tests point out the necessity for a microstructure homogenisation of the obtained material.