Study of influence of silicon oxide on performance properties of metal-glass materials based on iron powder

Metal-glass materials are wear-resistant composite materials with enhanced operational properties. In the presented work, the technique of manufacturing of composite antifriction materials by methods of powder metallurgy is considered. The processes occurring at formation of structure during sintering are studied. The considered metal-glass materials from a metal matrix (carbonyl iron powder) and a reinforcing component (powder of tare glass). The fabrication stages included: milling in a planetary mill, moulding in a mould and sintering in a protective atmosphere. The study was based on conducting a full factorial experiment. The work considered the production of glass powder by grinding, mixing with iron powder and subsequent pressing of the resulting powder, using a hydraulic press and sintering in a protective atmosphere. The volume content of glass reinforcing component and sintering temperature were the variable factors. The investigated properties were microhardness and porosity. These properties have a direct influence on the wear resistance of the obtained material. Computer modeling was carried out using STATSOFT software and an adequate model was obtained. Microstructural analysis of the obtained samples was carried out by means of SEM Vega Tescan. The main conclusions about the reasons of the obtained dependencies are formulated. Practical significance consists in obtaining new materials with increased antifriction properties. Increase of wear resistance of composite materials with increase of sintering temperature and glass filler content by 4-5 % is revealed, which is confirmed by the results of experiments and industrial tests. Regression equations describing the dependence between the factors of composite materials production, such as temperature and composition of metal-glass materials, microhardness, wear resistance, have been obtained.