Mesh-belt Sintering Furnace
Automated
Sinters compacted PM parts in a protective atmosphere (nitrogen-hydrogen or endothermic gas) at about 1,120 °C.
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Selection criteria
Temperature and atmosphere control, dew point, belt load, optional sinter-hardening cooling zone.
Supply chain
Made by European and US furnace specialists and many Chinese furnace makers. Atmosphere and dew-point control prevent decarburisation, which would soften gear teeth.
Buyer FAQ
- How is a mesh-belt sintering furnace sized?
- Size it on belt width, belt loading in kg per hour and the time at temperature, typically about 20–30 minutes at 1,120 °C, after a delubrication zone that burns off the pressing lubricant. Alloy mesh belts are limited to about 1,150 °C; higher-temperature sintering needs pusher or walking-beam furnaces.
- How should atmosphere quality be checked?
- Monitor dew point in the hot zone (typically below about −30 °C for nitrogen-hydrogen atmospheres), hydrogen content and oxygen level continuously. Confirm results on parts by checking carbon content, surface hardness and decarburisation depth on a metallographic section. Air leaks and wet gas are the usual causes of decarburised, soft gear teeth.
- When is a sinter-hardening cooling zone worth it?
- Sinter hardening uses forced convective cooling, typically a few °C per second, to form martensite directly at the furnace exit, removing a separate quench-hardening step. It needs suitably alloyed powder and a low-temperature temper afterwards, typically around 180–200 °C. It suits PM gears that need wear resistance without the distortion of oil quenching.
Where it is used
Material processing
- Gearbox Gears (sintered steel / plastic)2. Sintering