Process Control System for Delubrication of PM Steels

Journal article, 2012

Lubricants are important additive in powder metallurgy (PM) steels as they are needed to improve powder compressibility and reduce tool wear. Removal of the lubricant results in production of number of gas species that can have harmful effect on the base material. Current paper describes process gas monitoring system for delubrication control that is built on industrially available gas sensors. Experimental results indicate that accurate delubrication process control can be performed by utilizing only CO2 and O2 sensors. It is recommended to perform delubrication below 500°C in dry inert atmospheres in the case of modern ethylene bis stearamide based lubricants.