What Is The Hardness Of Sintered Metal ?
May 13, 2026| ⚙️ Core Factors Affecting the Hardness of Sintered Metals
1.Material composition
• Base metals: The hardness of iron-based sintered metals typically ranges between 250-850 HV, while that of copper-based sintered metals is generally around 50-200 HBW. Stainless steel-based sintered metals can achieve a hardness of 300-500 HV.
• Alloying elements: Adding alloying elements such as nickel, molybdenum, and chromium can significantly enhance hardness. For example, the hardness of nickel-containing iron-based sintered metals can be increased by more than 30%.
• Carbon content: In iron-based sintered metals, the carbon content increases from 0.2% to 0.8%, and the hardness can be raised from 200HV to above 600HV.
2. Sintering Process
• Sintering temperature: Generally, the higher the sintering temperature, the more thorough the diffusion of metal atoms, the higher the density, and the greater the hardness. For example, the hardness of iron-based powder sintered at 1100°C is 15%-20% higher than that sintered at 1000°C.
• Soaking time: Appropriately extending the soaking time helps improve density, but beyond a certain limit, grain growth may occur, which could conversely lead to a decrease in hardness.
• Cooling rate: A faster cooling rate can inhibit grain growth and result in finer microstructures, thereby increasing hardness. The hardness of sintered metals treated with quenching can be improved by over 40%.
3. Post-processing technology
• Heat treatment: Processes such as quenching and tempering can significantly enhance the hardness of sintered metals. For example, the hardness of iron-based sintered metals can reach 600-800 HV after quenching.
• Surface treatment: Processes such as carburizing and nitriding can significantly increase surface hardness while maintaining core hardness, meeting the requirements of certain special working conditions.
📊Common hardness ranges of sintered metals
| Material Type | Hardness Range | Application Scenarios |
| Iron-based sintered metal | 250-850HV | Structural components such as gears, camshafts, bearings, etc |
| Copper based sintered metal | 50-200HBW | Wear resistant parts such as shaft sleeves and sliders |
| Stainless steel based sintered metal | 300-500HV | Corrosion resistant parts |
| Hard alloy sintered metal | 80-90HRA | Cutting tools, molds, etc |
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