Improving Powder Metal Parts Machinability

There are three avenues to follow. See if your powder metal components vendor is using best practices like these:

1. Optimize Cutting Tool Geometry

In general terms, you want your vendor to use sharp tools and light cuts. More specifically, negative rake angles can improve toughness while tight radii help reduce forces.

2. Select Appropriate Cutting Tool Materials

Cermets (cemented carbide with hard titanium particles) are a cost-effective choice. Cubic boron nitride is often used for high-volume and high-precision applications. Carbide is a good choice for interrupted cuts and threading.

3. Powder Metal Material Modification

Two approaches are possible in machining powder metallurgy parts. Using a resin to infiltrate the porosity improves lubrication and can reduce chatter. In addition, some material additives, notably manganese sulfide, can reduce cutting forces and wear.

Secondary Machining: Rarely Needed, Usually Possible

Powder metallurgy has many advantages over machining. It’s a fast and efficient process and shrinks:

Lead time

Energy consumption

Material waste

At the same time, it opens up many more materials possibilities. However, a result of compacting powder is that some features cannot be formed. When this is the case, secondary machining operations are a must if you want those features.

To those lacking powder metallurgy expertise, this can seem daunting. The reality is that powder metal parts can be machined with a little elbow grease and foresight. The only downside is the inherent material waste.

NingBo GSK Powder Metallurgy Co., Ltd. not only has Powder Metal Parts but also MIM-Lock Case and other products, welcome to visit our official website.