To ensure that powder-formed blanks undergo debinding (removal of lubricants or binders), reduction, sintering, alloying, and densification smoothly during the sintering process, the following parameters must be adjusted and controlled: sintering temperature, protective atmosphere, blank transfer speed, heating rate, and cooling rate.
Therefore, a sintering furnace must meet the following five structural and functional requirements:
- Equipped with a complete debinding system or debinding belt
- To remove lubricants or binders efficiently before sintering.
- Gas-tightness
- Able to isolate the furnace from external air and maintain a continuous protective atmosphere inside.
- Controllable temperatures and adjustable atmospheres in all furnace zones
- Each section of the furnace should have independent temperature and atmosphere control.
- Adjustable transfer device for continuous sintering furnaces
- For continuous furnaces, the transfer speed must be adjustable to ensure uniform processing.
- Rapid cooling system
- Capable of quickly cooling sintered parts to a temperature suitable for unloading.