Densification and alloy formation in the sintering of molybdenum-iron powders

1. The sintering of a mechanical mixture of molybdenum and iron powders (10 and 40% Fe) in the temperature range 900–1000° C is accompanied by growth of specimens induced by the formation of the intermetallic compound Mo2Fe3. A solid solution of Fe in Mo does not appear to form under these conditions. 2. Mo -10% Fe alloy powders produced by the coreduction of higher oxides are characterized by good sinterability thanks to their small particle size and specific phase composition, enabling relative densities of the order of 90–92% to be obtained in specimens sintered at 1200°C. With Mo-40% Fe alloy powders the factor of active shrinkage is counterbalanced by the factor of specimen growth brought about by intense formation of ɛ-phase. 3. In the sintering of molybdenum-iron alloy powders produced by the coreduction of oxides the concentration of Fe in the Mo grows with rise in sintering temperature.