Comparative Study Of FAST And Conventional Sintering Of Cutting Tool Material

This study explores the effectiveness of Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST) in producing cutting tools using a Bronze 90/10, Co, Fe, and W powder mix in granulated and non-granulated conditions. The goal is to evaluate and demonstrate FAST efficiency by comparing results obtained on the same system using a conventional sintering approach. For the characterization of the samples, a Rietveld refinement XRD patterns combined with microstructural analysis, based on SEM and EDXS, was considered. The study revealed that the sintering process significantly influenced microstructural characteristics. The FAST process, known for rapid heating and short sintering periods, maintained a consistent ratio of starting phases, unlike conventional sintering prone to reactions, diffusion, and intermetallic compound formation. Conventional sintering resulted in cobalt polymorphs also exhibited a lattice expansion with respect to the starting powder, resulting mainly from the atomic rearrangement during prolonged sintering process. FAST samples showed a lower volume change, due to short sintering time.