Sintering is a heat treatment process that creates finished products that are highly porous and with incredible longevity, strength, and durability. While many different metals can be sintered, bronze is one that is commonly used across many different industries.
Sintered bronze works alongside many other types of metals, often working together to create a functioning whole. But, is it compatible with all metals? Let’s find out.
What is Sintered Bronze?
Understanding metals and their properties is a great way to gain a better understanding of what metals go together – and which ones do not. And that means learning what this type of bronze is all about.
Sintered bronze starts in its powdered form. That is because it is easier to work with and it behaves well after the part is formed. The entire process is a type of powder metallurgy that has 3 basic steps.
- The bronze (or bronze alloy) is turned into powder, whether through atomization or grinding.
- The powder is poured into the mold and then placed under heavy pressure so that the parts adhere together. No heat is used during this process.
- The bronze part is removed from the mold and placed into a high-heat furnace. This fuses the particles together creating the finished product.
The sintered bronze is left highly porous, with rigidity and strength. This metal product and its new superior traits tend to leave it with a much longer life. Did you know that bronze isn’t the only metal that is compatible with powder metallurgy? Other metals that can be successfully used include aluminum, copper, nickel, brass, steel, stainless steel, and titanium.
How is Sintered Bronze Used
Because of the traits it is left with after sintering – especially being highly porous – sintered bronze is a great option for applications that involve lubricating. Not to mention that they are also:
- Highly workable
- Fatigue resistant
- Corrosion resistant
- Highly durable
Sintered bronze is often used as component parts – especially self-lubricating parts. But it is also commonly found in home appliances, automobiles, shock absorbers, sustainable energy wind turbines, lubricating pump parts, aircraft, weapons, space vehicles, and much more.
What Metals Are Compatible with Sintered Bronze?
There are many applications in which metals are used with other metals. This is especially true in cases of sintered bronze since it is commonly a component part likely to be used with other metals. One of the most common questions is whether or not certain metals can work well together. And, often, so you don’t ever have to worry or question their compatibility, the answer is that metals do best when they are paired with their own. For instance, bronze with bronze, brass with brass, aluminum with aluminum, and so forth.
As mentioned above, there are many different metals that, like bronze, can be used in the powder metallurgy process. However, before you combine metals with sintered bronze, be sure that you do your due diligence to confirm that the metals you are using will only enhance the application rather than harm it.
Atlas Bronze is a leading distributor and supplier of Bronze, Copper, Brass and Iron products. They supply brass bronze from their warehouse located in Trenton, New Jersey and a few other depots throughout the country.