Best Metal Powders to Use in Making Sintered Bearings

April 27, 2023

Sintered bearings are a type of self-lubricating bearing that are manufactured by compressing a metal powder into the desired shape and subsequently sintering it at high temperatures. The sintering process causes the metal powder to fuse, which creates a dense and durable material suitable for high-performance bearings.

A lot of metal powders can be used in making sintered bearings. Some of them are as follows.

Bronze 

Bronze powder is one of the most popular choices for making sintered bearings as it has excellent wear resistance and good self-lubricating properties. It is often made by mixing copper and tin powders in the required proportions and then sintering the mixture at high temperatures. The resulting material is a strong, durable metal that is resistant to wear and corrosion, making it ideal for use in bearings.

Sintered bearings made from bronze powders are often utilised in applications where high loads and low speeds are encountered. Some of their uses are equipment, printing presses, textile machinery, and automotive engines.

Copper 

Copper is another popular material for making sintered bearings due to its good thermal conductivity and excellent corrosion resistance. Powder made from copper is made by reducing molten copper into fine particles and then compacting the powder into the desired shape before sintering. The copper powder becomes a strong, durable metal that can withstand wear and corrosion, making it ideal for use in high-performance sintered bearings.

Sintered bearings made from copper can be utilised in automotive engines, industrial machinery, aerospace applications, electrical equipment, and other applications where high loads and high speeds are prevalent.

Iron

Iron powder is another popular choice for making sintered bearings thanks to its high strength and wear resistance. It is made by atomising molten iron and then compressing the resulting powder into the desired shape before sintering. The processed iron powder becomes a strong, durable metal that can resist wear and corrosion.

Iron sintered bearings are commonly used in high-load and high-speed applications. Some applications of these bearings include automotive engines, industrial machinery, and aerospace elements. They can also be used in creating power tools.

Stainless Steel 

Stainless steel powder is a popular choice for making sintered bearings due to its excellent corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. This type of powder is made by atomising molten stainless steel and subsequently compressing the resulting product into the desired shape before sintering. The resulting material can, ultimately, create a bearing that is resistant to high temperatures, wear, and corrosion.

Stainless steel sintered bearings are often used in applications where high loads and corrosive environments are present. Their applications include marine applications, chemical processing equipment, food processing machinery, and medical equipment.

Titanium

Lastly, titanium is a high-performance metal powder that can be used in aerospace and other high-tech applications. It is made by converting molten titanium into fine particles before sintering them with their desired shape. It becomes a strong, lightweight metal that can resist wear, corrosion, and high temperatures.

Titanium bearings are commonly used in aerospace applications, where high-performance and lightweight materials are required. They are also utilised in high-tech applications such as surgical equipment and other medical devices.

The metal powder you will be choosing for making sintered bearings may depend on your specific application requirements. Fortunately, all metal powders mentioned earlier can generate quality sintered bearings for most applications.

Optimized by: Netwizard SEO