Abstract

Sintering behavior of iron nanopowder agglomerate compact prepared by slurry compaction method was investigated. The Fe nanopowder agglomerates were prepared by hydrogen reduction of spray dried agglomerates of ball-milled Fe_2O_3 nanopowder at various reduction temperatures of 450°C, 500°C and 550°C, respectively. It was found that the Fe nanopowder agglomerates produced at higher reduction temperature have a higher green density compact which consists of more densified nanopowder agglomerates with coarsed nanopowders. The sintering behavior of the Fe nanopowder agglomerates strongly depended on the powder packing density in the compact and microstructure of the agglomerated nanopowder. It was discussed in terms of two sintering factors affecting the entire densification process of the compact.

• Keywords: Nanopowder agglomerate;Pressureless slurry compaction;Sintering;