Pro-PM turning knife
Pro-PM turning knives have a much longer service life than those made from simple HSS steel. The tools are characterised by their exceptionally long service life, excellent sharpenability and their fine cutting edge. Pro-PM woodturning knives are made for those who do a lot of woodturning
... more...When we think of steel production, we normally think of molten metal that is poured into a mould, rolled or forged and then ground or milled into shape. Powder metallurgy (the PM in Pro-PM) is a different type of manufacturing process, which will be discussed here.
What are powder metallurgy and sintering?
Powder metallurgy and sintering are several processes in which various metal powders, including iron, copper, tin or zinc mixtures, are compacted and moulded so that they can then be "baked" at high temperatures. Sintering describes the welding together of the components of the metal powder while it is exposed to high heat, which is below the melting point of the actual base material.
Powder metallurgy - What happens during sintering?
The metal powder is usually compacted using pressing jaws or an auxiliary pressing tool in special hydraulic presses. Once the metal powder has been compacted and pressed into the desired shape, it is sintered. This means that the compacted workpieces are heated in a furnace at high but controlled temperatures, which causes the metal particles to coalesce. Subsequent heat treatment is still possible.
What are the advantages of sintering / powder metallurgy?
The properties of the material can be adapted to the intended use - for example, a combination of high strength, flexibility and enormous durability, which characterises Crown Pro-PM turning knives, for example.
The physical properties of the end product are comparable to those of cast or forged products, which have the same alloy and a comparable hardness.
The particular advantage of Pro-PM turning knives is that the parts are not milled and therefore less waste is produced.
Further advantages of tools made from sintered HSS high-speed steel
- Increased resistance to wear,
- corrosion resistance,
- good sharpening properties,
- finely polished surface,
- high strength and
- long service life of the tool.
Why is powder metallurgy / sintering so suitable for turning
knives?
Sintered HSS high speed steels are new to the field of turning
tools, but not to the world of engineering. It is often used for
connecting rods and transmission parts in the automotive industry.
As the production of complicated components is facilitated by
sintering.
A sintered HSS high-speed steel from which turning knives are made
combines low heat susceptibility with high wear resistance and
tough material properties.