Powdered metal valve seat insert

Abstract: A powdered metal blend mixture for making a powdered metal part especially a valve seat insert. The mixture includes 15 to 30 wt.% of a valve steel powder, 0 to 10 wt.% nickel, 0 to 5 wt.% copper, 5 to 15 wt.% of a ferro-alloy powder, 0 to 15 wt.% of a tool steel powder, 0.5 to 5 wt.% of a solid lubricant, 0.5 to 2 wt.% graphite, 0.3 to 1.0% of a temporary lubricant, and the balance being substantially a low alloy steel powder containing 0.6 to 2.0 wt.% molybdenum, 0 to 5 wt.% nickel, and 0 to 3.0 wt.% copper. The present invention provides improved high temperature wear and corrosion resistance over prior art materials as well as improved machinability. The blend of the present invention provides a relatively high density material that allows for a single press and sinter technique.

Description: The present invention relates in general to metallic powdered blends, and more particularly to a new and improved metallic powdered blend useful for making a vehicle part such as a valve seat insert The operation cycle of an internal combustion engine is well known in this art. The physical requirements for the intake and exhaust valves, valve guides, and valve seat inserts to effectively interact in sealing the combustion have been studied extensively. Wear resistance is a prime requirement for valve seat inserts used in internal combustion engines. In an effort to achieve a combination of good heat and corrosion resistance and machinability coupled with wear resistance, exhaust valve seat inserts have been made from cobalt, nickel, or martensite iron based alloy castings. These alloys have been generally preferred over austenitic heat-resistant steels with high chromium and nickel content because of the presence of wear resistant carbides in the cast alloys. Powder metallurgy has been employed in the manufacture of valve seat inserts as well as other engine components, because the net end shape is fairly readily achieved. Powder metallurgy permits latitude in selecting a variety of metallic or even ceramic compositions as well as offering design flexibility. U.S. Patent No. 4,724,000 describes a wear resistant article manufactured using powder metallurgy. This patent is particularly directed to a valve seat insert. U.S. Patent No. 5,041,158 also relates to powdered metal parts and particularly the beneficial affects of the addition of a powdered hydrated magnesium silicate. Other patents of interest include: U.S. 4,546,737; U.S. 4,671,491; U.S. 4,734,968; U.S. 5,000,910; U.S. 5,032,353; U.S. 5,051,232; U.S. 5,064,610; U.S. 5,154,881; U.S. 5,271,683; and U.S. 5,286,311. Valve seat inserts for internal combustion engines require high wear resistance materials which can offer high wear resistance even at elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time. Valve seat inserts further require along with the high heat resistance, high creep strength and high thermal fatigue strength even under repeated impact loading at elevated temperatures. Typically, the valve seat insert materials that are made from high alloy powders have low compressibility. Therefore, processes such as double pressing, double sintering, high temperature sintering, copper infiltrating, and hot forging are used to achieve a desired density level. Unfortunately, this can make the material prohibitively expensive. Thus, there still exists a need for a powdered metal blend which will result in a relatively high density, and yet only utilize a single press and/or a single sintering method. Such a material blend will be capable of being compacted to a minimum density ranging from about 6.7 g/cm 3 to about 7.1 g/cm 3 to make a component that can function in a severe engine environment. Such a powder metal blend will be fairly cost effective yet still offer significant wear resistance, high temperature resistance, machinability, high creep strength, and high thermal fatigue strength. The present invention seeks to solve the above problems by providing a powdered metal blend mixture that uses a specific combination of a valve steel powder for high temperature wear and corrosion resistance with a ferro- molybdenum powder for high temperature hot hardness (the term "hot hardness" means hardness measured at elevated temperatures) and with copper for machinability and thermal conductivity. The blend according to the invention includes a tool steel powder for wear resistance and a solid lubricant to provide low friction and sliding wear as well as an improvement in machinability. In accordance with the invention, which is defined by the appended claims, there is provided a powdered metal part having a chemical composition on a weight percent basis, comprising: 0.8% to 2.0% of C; 2.0% to 6.0% of Cr; 1.0% to 20% of Cu; 0.5% to 2.0% of Mn; 5.0% to 8.0% of Mo; 4.0% to 7.0% of Ni; 0.05% to 0.15% of N; 0.2% to 0.7% of W; 0.05% to 0.5% of V; 0.2% to 0.6% of S; and the balance being Fe. In accordance with the invention, there is provided also a metallic powder mixture for producing a part as defined above comprising, on a weight percent basis: 15% to 30% of a valve steel powder having a chromium content of 19.3 to 24.0% and a nickel content of 1.5 to 9.0%; 0% to 10% of nickel; 0% to 5% of copper; 5% to 15% of a ferro-molybdenum powder containing at least 60% molybdenum; 0% to 15% of a tool steel powder; 0.5% to 5% of a solid lubricant; 0.5% to 2.0% of graphite; 0.3% to 1.0% of a temporary lubricant; and a balance of a low alloy steel powder containing 0.6% to 2.0% molybdenum, 0% to 5% nickel and 0% to 3% copper. The invention is described below in greater detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a valve assembly and its associated environment; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a valve assembly in more detail; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of even a more detailed view of the valve seat insert and valve set face in a sealing relationship; FIG. 4 is a graph showing a hot hardness comparison of the present invention with a current material; FIG. 5 is a graph showing seat wear rig comparison test data for the present invention with a current material; FIG. 6 is a graph showing seat wear limit test data for the present invention with a current material; and FIG. 7 is a graph showing machinability comparison data for the present invention with a current material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is desirable to construct vehicles with engine durability that can achieve 150,000 miles (240,000 km) or more. In designing engine components for such vehicles, the components require a material that offers significant wear resistance, high temperature resistance and machinability. In the specification, unless otherwise specified, all temperatures are in degrees Celsius (°C), and all percentages (%) are on a weight percent basis. The present invention provides a powdered metal part especially suited for an engine component like a valve seat insert. The powdered metal blend of the present invention is suited in particular for valve seat inserts for nitrided engine valves. It should be immediately apparent that the powdered metal part in accordance with the present invention is equally suitable to other applications as well. An engine valve train component such as a valve seat insert constructed with the powdered metal blend according to the present invention may be employed as an intake valve seat insert as well as an exhaust valve seat insert component. Referring to Figs. 1-3, there is illustrated a valve assembly generally designated 10 for use in an engine. Valve assembly 10 includes a plurality of valves 12 each reciprocatingly received within the internal bore of a valve stem guide 14. The valve stem guide 14 is a tubular structure which is inserted into the cylinder head 24. These engine components are devices well known to those in this art. The present invention is not intended to be limited to any specific structure since modifications and alternative structures are provided by various manufacturers. These valve assembly drawings are being provided for illustrative purposes to facilitate a better understanding of the present invention. Valve 12 includes a valve seat face 16 interposed between the cap 26 and fillet 28 of the valve 12. Valve stem 30 is located normally upwardly of neck 28 and usually is received within valve stem guide 14. A valve seat insert 18 is normally mounted within the cylinder head 24 of the engine. Preferably, the insert 18 is annular in shape with a cross-section shown, and cooperatively receives the valve seat face 16. In order for a powdered metal part to work in a severe environment, such as a severe engine environment, the powdered metal part blend should be capable of being compacted to a minimum density of 6.7 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm 3 ) to 7.1 g/cm 3 . Preferably, the blend is compacted to a minimum density of 6.9 g/cm 3 . The powdered metal blend mixture of the present invention comprises a valve steel powder, nickel, copper, a ferro-alloy powder, a tool steel powder, a solid lubricant, graphite, and a powdered temporary or fugitive lubricant, with the balance being a low alloy steel powder. This mixture in accordance with the present invention contains the following amounts of the above components. There is 15 to 30% valve steel powder, from 0 to 10% nickel, from 0 to 5% copper, 5 to 15% ferro-alloy powder, from 0 to 15% tool steel powder, 0.5 to 5% solid lubricant, 0.5 to 2.0% graphite, 0.3 to 1.0% powdered fugitive lubricant and the balance being a low alloy steel powder containing 0.6 to 2.0% molybdenum. Preferably, the low alloy steel powder contains 0.6 to 2.0% molybdenum, from 0 to 5% nickel, and from 0 to 3% copper. The powdered metal blend mixture of the present invention uses the combination of the valve steel powder for high temperature wear and corrosion resistance with the ferro-alloy powder for high temperature hot hardness. The tool steel powder is added for wear resistance and hot hardness. The solid lubricants provide a low friction for reducing sliding wear as well as improving machinability. Alloying elements like molybdenum and chromium provide solid solution strengthening for wear and corrosion resistance. The nickel and the austenitic valve steel powder stabilizes the face centered cubic (FCC) matrix and achieves heat resistance. The iron- molybdenum hard particles provide wear and hot hardness. The graphite and a solid lubricant such as a powdered hydrated magnesium silicate (talc), molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ), or calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ) allows for better wear resistance and machinability. The powdered fugitive or temporary lubricant such as ACRAWAX C provides for a longer die life by preventing galling of tools during compaction. While the powder can be a mixture of alloy constituents for producing the desired alloying chemistry, the powders are preferably pre-alloyed powders. The first component of the blend in accordance with the present invention is a valve steel powder and is 15 to 30 weight percent of the mixture. Preferably, the valve steel powder constitutes 20% of the blend or mixture. A suitable valve steel powder includes but is not limited to 21-2N, 23-8N, or 21-4N which are commercially available from OMG Americas. These are iron based powders and the 21-2N basically means 21% chromium and 2% nickel. The 21-4N means 21% Cr and 4%Ni. Similarly, 23-8N designation basically means 23% chromium and 8% nickel. The chemical composition of a typical 21-2N metal powder falls within the following ranges: C 0.50 - 0.60% Mn 7.0 - 9.5% Si 0.08 - 0.25% Cr 19.3 - 21.5% Ni 1.5 - 2.75% N 0.20 - 0.40% Fe balance The chemical composition of a typical 23-8N metal powder falls within the following ranges: C 0.50 - 0.60% Mn 1.50 - 3.50% Si 0.60 - 0.90% Cr 22.0 - 24.0% Ni 7.0 - 9.0% N 0.28 - 0.35% Fe balance The chemical composition of a typical 21-4N metal powder falls within the following ranges: C 0.48 - 0.54% Mn 8.00 - 9.50% Si 0.08 - 0.25% Cr 20.0 - 22.0% Ni 3.25 - 4.50% N 0.38 - 0.50% Fe balance The second component of the mixture according to the present invention is nickel. The nickel is added to the mixture on a weight percent basis from 0 to 10% of the mixture, and preferably is about 7.0%. The nickel powder is meant to include any nickel containing powder including but not limited to particles of substantially pure nickel, a masteralloy, or particles of nickel in admixture with alloying elements. The composition of the nickel should fall within the given percentage range. Copper powder is the third component of the mixture. It is added from 0 to 5% on a weight percent basis of the mixture, and preferably is about 2.0% of the mixture. Similarly, the copper powder is meant to include but is not limited to any copper containing powder such as particles of substantially pure copper, particles of copper in an admixture with alloying elements, and/or other fortifying elements, and/or particles of pre-alloy copper. A substantial amount (up to about 20%) of copper can be added through a copper infiltration process for the purpose of increasing density, thermal conductivity and machinability. The fourth component of the mixture is a ferro-alloy powder which preferably contains ferro-molybdenum. The ferro-alloy powder constitutes 5 to 15% of the mixture and preferably is about 9% of the mixture. Molybdenum-containing iron-based powder for use with the present invention is commercially available from ShieldAlloy. It is a pre-alloy of iron with about 60 weight percent dissolved molybdenum and containing less than about 2.0 weight percent of other pre-alloyed elements. This iron based powder may contain elements in addition to the molybdenum that are pre-alloyed with the iron, but it is generally a benefit to the practice of the invention, if this component of the invention is substantially free of elements pre-alloyed with the iron other than molybdenum. The fifth component of the mixture is a tool steel powder which constitutes from 0 to 15% of the mixture. Preferably, this component is also a pre-alloyed powder which is a ferro-alloy of iron, carbon, and at least one transition element. It is also preferred that iron making up this component as in the other components be substantially free of impurities or inclusions other than metallurgy carbon or the transition element. A suitable tool steel powder includes but is not limited to M series tool steel powders commercially available from Powdrex. The sixth component of the mixture in accordance with the present invention is a solid lubricant such as a powdered hydrated magnesium silicate (commonly referred to as talc), MoS 2 or CaF 2 . Of course, any conventional solid lubricant may be used with the mixture of the present invention including, but not limited to any other disulfide or fluoride type solid lubricant. The seventh component of the mixture in accordance with the present invention is graphite which constitutes 0.5 to 2.0% of the mixture. Graphite is a preferred way to add carbon to the mixture for compacting. One suitable source for graphite powder is Southwestern 1651 grade, which is a product of Southwestern Industries Incorporated. The eighth component of the mixture according to the present invention includes a powdered lubricant which represents from 0.3 to 1.0% of the mixture. The powdered lubricant is referred to herein as a temporary or fugitive lubricant since it burns off or pyrolyzes during the sintering step. A suitable lubricant would include a conventional waxy or fatty material such as zinc stearates, waxes, commercially available but proprietary ethylene stearamide compositions which volatilize upon sintering. One such suitable powdered lubricant includes ACRAWAX C which is available from Glyco Chemical Co. The balance of the mixture is a low alloy steel powder that contains 0.6 to 2.0% molybdenum, from 0 to 5% nickel, and from 0 to 3% copper. A suitable low alloy steel powder blend is 85HP or 150HP available from Hoeganaes Corporation. The powdered metal blend is thoroughly mixed for a sufficient time to achieve a homogeneous mixture. Normally, the mixture is blended for 30 minutes to two hours and preferably about 1 hour to result in a homogeneous mixture. Any suitable mixing means such as a ball mixer may be employed. The mixture is then compacted at compacting pressures preferably ranging from 770 to 1000 MPa (50 to 65 tons per square inch (TSI)) with a preferred. pressure of about 925 MPa (60 TSI) The compacting pressure is adequate to press and form green compacts to a near net shape or even a net shape having a desired green density ranging from 6.7 to 7.1 g/cm 3 with a preferred density of about 6.9 g/cm 3 . Compaction is done generally with a die of a desired shape. In the case of iron-based metal powders for making insert parts, the lubricated blend of powder is pressed to at least about 300 MPa (20 tons per square inch), generally higher, for example, 620 to 925 MPa (40 to 60 tons per square inch). Ordinarily, any pressure lower than about 540 MPa (35 tons per square inch) is hardly used. Pressures above about 1000 MPa (65 tons per square inch), while useful, may be prohibitively expensive. The compaction can be performed either uniaxial or isostatic. The green compact is handled and usually conveyed to a sintering furnace, where sintering of the compact takes place. Sintering is a bonding of adjacent surfaces in the compact by heating the compact below the liquidus temperature of the majority of the ingredients in the compact. The sintering conditions in the present invention use conventional sintering temperatures, e.g. , about 1040 °C to 1150°C (preferably at about 1100°C). A higher sintering temperature (about 1250°C to about 1350°C, preferably about 1300°C) may alternately be used for about 20 minutes to about one hour, and preferably about 30 minutes in a reducing atmosphere of a gaseous mixture of nitrogen (N 2 ) and hydrogen (H 2 ). Sintering is performed at a temperature higher than about 1100°C for a time period sufficient to effect diffusion bonding of the powder particles at their point of contact and form an integrally sintered mass. Sintering is preferably done in a reducing atmosphere such as N 2 /H 2 or a dry associated ammonia having a dew point in the order of about -40 °C. Sintering may also be done with an inert gas like argon, or in a vacuum. Advantageously, the resultant product may be used in both the as-sintered condition and/or a heat-treated condition. Suitable heat treating conditions include but are not limited to further nitriding, carburizing, carbonitriding, or steam treatment the compacted powdered metal component. Alternatively, the resultant product may be copper infiltrated to improve thermal conductivity. Photomicrographs reveal that the microstructure consists of 20 to 30%, preferably about 25 percent phase containing fine carbide in an austenitic matrix, 5 to 10%, preferably about 7 percent hard phase rich in molybdenum, 1 to 5%, preferably about 2 percent solid lubricant, and the balance being a tempered martensite. The chemical composition of the finished product is as follows with all percentages being calculated on a weight percent basis: C 0.8 to 2.00% Cr 2.0 to 6.0% Cu 1.0 to 20.0% S 0.2 to 0.6% Mn 0.5 to 2.0% Mo 5.0 to 8.0% Ni 4.0 to 7.0% N 0.05 to 0.15% W 0.2 to 0.7% V 0.05 to 0.5% Fe balance In the preferred embodiment, the chemical composition of the finished product is as follows on a weight percent basis (wt.%): C 1.50% Cr 4.10% Cu 2.0% Mn 1.0% Mo 6.5% Ni 5.5% N 0.1% S 0.5% W 0.4% V 0.15% Fe balance Also in the preferred embodiment, the chemical composition of the finished product with copper infiltration is as follows on a weight percent basis (wt%): C 1.2% Cr 3.96% Cu 12.52% Mn 1.34% Mo 8.03% Ni 5.90% N 0.10% S 0.29% W 0.23% V 0.10% Fe balance In Fig. 4, there is shown a hot hardness comparison of an insert material made with the present invention identified as "new" with that of a currently employed material identified as "current". The current material is presently being used in engines and is a commercially accepted product that has a chemical content as follows: 1.05-1.25%C; 1.0-2.7% Mn; 4.0-6.5% Cr; 2.5-4.0% Cu; and 1.6-2.4% Ni. Hardness Hv stands for a standard Vickers hardness test. A description of the testing procedures appears in Y.S. Wang, et al., "The Effect of Operating Conditions on Heavy Duty Engine Valve Seat Wear," WEAR 201 (1996). Fig. 5 is an illustration of seat wear rig comparison test results and Fig. 6 shows seat wear rig limit test data. Seat wear rig limit is the material specification limit passed by rig testing. A description of rig wear test procedures appears in Y.S. Wang, et al., "The Effect of Operating Conditions on Heavy Duty Engine Valve Seat Wear", WEAR 201 (1996). In Fig. 6, the solid lubricant is MoS 2 . The hard phase represents Fe-Mo particles. Fig. 7 is a machinability comparison graph between the present invention and the prior art. A description of the machinability testing procedure is given in H. Rodrigues, "Sintered Valve Seat Inserts and Valve Guides: Factors Affecting Design, Performance, and Machinability, "Proceedings of the International Symposium on Valvetrain System and Design Materials, (1997). A careful review of these figures shows the improvement in desired characteristics achieved with the present invention. The present invention provides increased wear resistance even at elevated temperatures for prolonged periods of time. The following examples illustrate the present invention. Example I The powder is blended using the following formulation in a double cone blender for 30 minutes. The blend consists of 20% valve steel powder (such as 23-8N or 21-4N or 21-2N available from OMG Americas), 5% nickel available from Inco, 2% copper available from OMG Americas, 10% ferro-alloy powder (such as Fe-Mo powder from ShieldAlloy), 10% tool steel powder (such as M series tool steel powder from Powdrex), 3% solid lubricant (such as molybdenum disulfide from Hohman Plating, 1% graphite from Southwestern Graphite, 1% solid lubricant (such as powdered hydrated magnesium silicate or talc from Millwhite), 1% fugitive powdered lubricant Acrawax C from Baychem, and the balance being a low alloy steel powder from Hoeganaes which contains 0.85-1.5% molybdenum. Weight percentage in kilograms (kg) for the blend: 200 kg - 21-2N 50 kg - Ni 20 kg - Cu 10 kg - M2 tool steel powder 30 kg - MoS2 100 kg - Fe-Mo 5 kg - Acrawax C 10 kg - Talc 580 kg - Low alloy Mo steel The blend is then compacted to a density of 6.8-7.0 g/cm 3 . Sintering is conducted in a reduced atmosphere of 90% nitrogen with balance hydrogen at 1150°C (2100°F) for 20-30 minutes. Sintering is followed by carburizing at 870°C (1600°F) for 2 hours at 1.0 carbon potential, then quench in oil. Carburizing is followed by tempering at 426°C (800°F) for one hour in nitrogen atmosphere. Example II The powder is blended using the following formulation in a double cone blender for 30 minutes. The blend consists of 20% valve steel powder (such as 23-8N or 21-4N or 21-2N available from OMG Americas), 5% nickel from Inco, 2% copper from OMG Americas, 10% ferro-alloy powder (such as Fe-Mo powder from ShiedAlloy), 10% tool steel powder (such as M series tool steel powder from Powdrex), 3% solid lubricant (such as molybdenum disulfide from Hohman Plating, 1% graphite from Southwestern Graphite, 1% solid lubricant powdered hydrated magnesium silicate or talc from Millwhite and the balance being a low alloy steel powder available from Hoeganaes which contains 1.5% molybdenum. Weight percentage in kilograms (kg) for the blend: 200 kg - 21-2N 50 kg - Ni 20 kg - Cu 10 kg - M2 tool steel powder 30 kg - MoS2 100 kg - Fe-Mo 5 kg - Acrawax C 10 kg - Talc 580 kg - Low alloy Mo steel The blend is then compacted to a density of 6.8-7.0 g/cm 3 and copper slug is made of Greenback 681 powder and compacted to a density of 7.1-7.3 g/cm 3 . The infiltrate is placed on the part and the pair is sintered together in a reduced atmosphere of 90% nitrogen with balance hydrogen at 1150°C (2100°F) for 20-30 minutes to achieve a density of 7.3 g/cm 3 minimum. Sintering is followed by carburizing at 870°C (1600°F) for 2 hours at 1.0 carbon potential and then quenched in oil. Carburizing is then followed by tempering at 426°C (800°F) for one hour in nitrogen atmosphere.

Claims: A powdered metal part having a chemical composition on a weight percent basis, comprising: 0.8% to 2.0% of C; 2.0% to 6.0% of Cr; 1.0% to 20% of Cu; 0.5% to 2.0% of Mn; 5.0% to 8.0% of Mo; 4.0% to 7.0% of Ni; 0.05% to 0.15% of N; 0.2% to 0.7% of W; 0.05% to 0.5% of V; 0.2% to 0.6% of S; and the balance being Fe. A powdered metal part according to claim 1, compacted to a density of 6.7 to 7.1 g/cm 3 . A powdered metal part according to claim 1 or claim 2, having a microstructure comprising 20 to 38wt.% phase containing carbide in an austenitic and martensitic matrix. 5 to 10wt.% phase rich in molybdenum, 1 to 5wt.% of a solid lubricant and a balance of a tempered martensite. A powdered metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a chemical composition, on a weight percent basis, comprising C 1.50 Cr 4.10 Cu 2.0 Mn 1.0 Mo 6.5 Ni 5.5 N 0.1 S 0.5 W 0.4 V 0.15 Fe balance A powdered metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a chemical composition, on a weight percent basis, comprising C about 1.20 Cr about 3.96 Cu about 12.52 Mn about 1.34 Mo about 8.03 Ni about 5.90 N about 0.10 S about 0.29 W about 0.23 V about 0.10 Fe balance A powdered metal part according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in the form of a valve seat insert. A metallic powder mixture for producing a part according to claim 1 comprising, on a weight percent basis: 15% to 30% of a valve steel powder having a chromium content of 19.3 to 24.0% and a nickel content of 1.5 to 9.0%; 0% to 10% of nickel; 0% to 5% of copper; 5% to 15% of a ferro-molybdenum powder; 0% to 15% of a tool steel powder; 0.5% to 5% of a solid lubricant; 0.5% to 2.0% of graphite; 0.3% to 1.0% of a temporary lubricant; and a balance of a low alloy steel powder containing 0.6% to 2.0% molybdenum, 0% to 5% nickel and 0% to 3% copper. A metallic powder mixture according to claim 7, wherein the temporary lubricant is selected from stearates, stearamides, zinc stearate, lithium stearate, ethylene bis stearamide and synthetic wax lubricants. A metallic powder mixture according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the solid lubricant is selected from hydrated magnesium silicate minerals, sulfide lubricants, MnS, CaF 2 , WS 2 , MoS 2 , selenide lubricants, telluride lubricants, and mica. A process for making a powdered metal part, comprising the steps of: blending a mixture according to any one of claims 7 to 9 to obtain a homogeneous blend; compacting the mixture in at least a single step at a selected compacting pressure to press a green compact to at least a near net shape to a minimum density of 6.7g/cm 3 ; and sintering the pressed green compact in a single step to fabricate the powdered metal part. A process according to claim 10, wherein the blend mixture is compacted at a pressure of 770 to 1,000 MPa. A process according to claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising heat treating, steam treating or copper infiltrating the powdered metal part. A process according to claim 12, wherein the heat treating step includes carburizing the powdered metal part. A process according to claim 12, wherein the heat treating step includes carbonitriding the powdered metal part. A process according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising the step of machining the powdered metal part into a valve seat insert.

Inventors: NARASIMHAN SANDARAM LAKSHMI, RODRIGUES HERON, WANG YUSHU, NARASIMHAN, SANDARAM LAKSHMI, RODRIGUES, HERON, WANG, YUSHU
Applicants: EATON CORP, EATON CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C22C33
IPC codes: B22F1, C22C38, C22C33, F01L3