APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MICROWAVE DENSIFICATION

20190262903 ยท 2019-08-29

Assignee

Inventors

Cpc classification

International classification

Abstract

Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods for densification of a green part composed of metal powders held by a binder under a controlled atmosphere with microwave energy. In particular embodiments, the microwave densification can occur in a continuous, uninterrupted sequence, including the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and infiltration with a secondary infiltrant metal powder. In specific embodiments, the secondary infiltrant metal powder has a lower melting temperature than the metal powders in the green part, and the powder size ratio between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder is selected such that the heating rates of the powders under microwave energy are approximately equalized.

Claims

1. A method of microwave densification of a component, the method comprising: placing a component inside a microwave furnace, wherein the component comprises a binder and a first metal powder; placing a second metal powder in contact with the component; and irradiating the component and the second metal powder with microwave energy in a continuous microwave densification process to thermally debind and sinter the component and to infiltrate the component with the second metal powder.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the first metal powder has a first heating rate when the component is irradiated with microwave energy in the continuous microwave densification process; the second metal powder has a second heating rate when the second metal powder is irradiated with microwave energy in a continuous microwave densification process; the second heating rate is greater than 70 percent of the first heating rate; and the second heating rate is less than 130 percent of the first heating rate.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein: the second heating rate is greater than 80 percent of the first heating rate; and the second heating rate is less than 120 percent of the first heating rate.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein: the second heating rate is greater than 90 percent of the first heating rate; and the second heating rate is less than 110 percent of the first heating rate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first metal powder comprises metal particles with a first particle size; the first metal powder has a first heating rate when the component is irradiated with microwave energy in the continuous microwave densification process; the second metal powder comprises metal particles with a second particle size; the second metal powder has a second heating rate when the component is irradiated with microwave energy in the continuous microwave densification process; and the method further comprises controlling a ratio of the first particle size to the second particle size such that the second heating rate that is between 70 percent and 130 percent of the first heating rate.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the method further comprises controlling a ratio of the first particle size to the second particle size such that the second heating rate that is between 80 percent and 120 percent of the first heating rate.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the method further comprises controlling a ratio of the first particle size to the second particle size such that the second heating rate that is between 90 percent and 110 percent of the first heating rate.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is generated by injection molding of the metal powder held by the binder.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is generated by additive manufacturing of the metal powder held by the binder.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is generated by compacting the metal powder with the binder in a powder metallurgy press.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising exposing the component to a solvent to remove a portion of the binder.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein: the metal powder has first density; the component has a second density; and the second density is between 50 percent and 95 percent of the first density.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the microwave energy has a frequency from 0.8 to 90 GHz.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the component is placed inside an insulated vessel inside the microwave furnace.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising placing a vacuum on the insulated vessel.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising introducing an inert gas into the insulated vessel.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein: the component is sintered at a first temperature; the component is infiltrated with the second metal powder at a second temperature; and the first temperature is lower than the second temperature.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the second metal powder has a lower melting temperature than the melting temperature of the first metal powder.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein: the component comprises a first volume; the second metal powder comprises a second volume; and the second volume is between 5 and 50 percent of the first volume.

20. An apparatus for microwave densification, the apparatus comprising: a microwave densification chamber comprising: a first microwave energy source; a first waveguide; and a chamber volume; and a control system coupled to the first microwave energy source, wherein: the first microwave energy source is configured to radiate microwave energy into the first waveguide and irradiate the chamber volume with microwave energy; and the control system is configured to modulate parameters of the microwave energy source such that microwave chamber is irradiated with microwave energy to maintain a temperature versus time heating profile for microwave densification.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the temperature versus time heating profile comprises: a first profile segment for increasing temperature inside the chamber volume; a second profile segment for maintaining temperature inside the chamber volume; a third profile segment for increasing temperature inside the chamber volume; a fourth profile segment for maintaining temperature inside the chamber volume; a fifth profile segment for increasing temperature inside the chamber volume; and a sixth profile segment for maintaining temperature inside the chamber volume.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein: the first and second profile segments are configured to debind a component comprising a binder and a first metal powder in the chamber volume; the third and fourth profile segments are configured to sinter the component; and the fifth and sixth profile segments are configured to infiltrate the component with a second metal powder.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the parameters of the microwave energy source include an amplitude, a frequency or a phase of the microwave energy.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control system is configured to generate the temperature versus time heating profile for microwave densification.

25. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control system is configured to automatically generate the temperature versus time heating profile for microwave densification based on input parameters.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the input parameters include material properties of a component for microwave densification.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the material properties include material type, volume, surface area or thickness.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 further comprising an insulated vessel located within the microwave densification chamber, wherein the insulated vessel comprises an interior volume.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the insulated vessel is formed from microwave transparent materials.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising: a first port in fluid communication with the interior volume of the insulated vessel; and a second port in fluid communication with the interior volume of the insulated vessel.

31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein: the first port is coupled to a vacuum source; and the second port is coupled to an inert gas source.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising: a first valve in fluid communication with the first port; and a second valve in fluid communication with the first port.

33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the control system is configured to control the first valve and the second valve.

34. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the microwave densification chamber comprises microwave reflective materials.

35. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the control system comprises an indirect temperature control system that uses a predictive algorithm to control a temperature of a component in the microwave densification chamber during microwave densification without direct temperature feedback.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein: the temperature versus time heating profile comprises one or more ramp profile segments for increasing temperature inside the chamber volume; the temperature versus time heating profile comprises one or more hold profile segments for maintaining temperature inside the chamber volume; and the algorithm is based on analytical data to calculate microwave power required for the one or more ramp profile segments and for the one or more hold profile segments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a flow chart is for steps in a microwave densification process according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a densification vessel configured for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a microwave densification chamber configured for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a system with the densification vessel of FIG. 2 located inside microwave densification chamber of FIG. 3.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a graph of a typical temperature versus time heating profile for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a flow chart of steps taken by a control system configured for use in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, including the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0053] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include a microwave densification process where a green part composed of metal powders held by a binder is densified under a controlled atmosphere with microwave energy. Particular exemplary embodiments include a microwave densification that occurs in a continuous, uninterrupted sequence, including the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and infiltration with a secondary infiltrant metal powder having a lower melting temperature than the metal powders in the green part. In exemplary embodiments, the powder size ratio between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder can be selected such that the heating rates of the powders under microwave energy are approximately equalized. Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosed microwave densification process can reduce manufacturing time, costs and defects. In addition, embodiments of the disclosed process can provide a dimensionally compliant method for the densification of three dimensional objects made from metal powder particulate.

[0054] As previously noted, densification of green parts made from metal powder particulate held by a binder is commonly accomplished by conventional heating methods. Densification using such conventional methods typically includes the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and optionally metal infiltration.

[0055] Conventional thermal densification involves radiant, resistance and/or convection heating followed by the transfer of thermal energy via conduction to the inside of the workpiece through a thermal conductivity mechanism. Conventional densification is a rather slow process and takes considerable time to achieve thermal equilibrium. It is independent of the nature of the material. One can heat any material in a conventional densification process.

[0056] In contrast, microwave densification is fundamentally different from conventional thermal densification. In the case of microwave densification, heating is due to the simultaneous absorption/coupling of the microwave field with the metal powder and the conversion of the electromagnetic energy into thermal energy. This is known a volumetric heating.

[0057] In volumetric heating a thermal conductivity mechanism is not involved. The heating is virtually instantaneous and rapid, and is a function of the material under process. The heat is generated internally within the material instead of originating from the external sources, and transmits towards outside. Hence, there is an inverse heating profile, inside-out unlike in a conventional heating outside-in. In general, microwave heating is very rapid, as energy conversion, rather than energy transfer, heats the material.

[0058] A green part is generated in the initial stages of exemplary embodiments of the method disclosed herein. The green part may be generated by any suitable process, including for example, injection molding, additive manufacturing or powder metallurgy methods. In exemplary embodiments, the green part comprises thermally decomposable binders with metal powders.

[0059] In exemplary embodiments, the particle size of the metal powders in the green part is selected in relation to the particle size of a secondary infiltrant metal powder. The particle size ratio and the associated material properties between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder approximately equalize the heating rate of the powders when irradiated with microwave energy.

[0060] Approximate equalization of the heating rates of the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder is a key aspect of embodiments of the present invention. When placed in a common microwave environment, two dissimilar metal powders, having similar particle sizes, will heat at different heating rates due to the difference in their specific heats and microwave coupling characteristics. This disparity in heating rates makes the microwave densification process difficult to control.

[0061] In an ideal microwave heating system, the heating rate of a material can be mathematically stated as:


d/dt=P/(M*s)

where: [0062] d/dt=Heating rate in degrees per second [0063] P=Microwave power in Kilowatts [0064] M=Mass in Kilograms [0065] s=Specific Heat in KiloJoules/Kilograms-Deg. Kelvin

[0066] As an example, stainless steel powder is used as the metal powder in the green part, bronze powder is used as the secondary infiltrant metal powder, each with the same particle size. The heating rate of 500 grams of stainless steel powder and 500 grams of bronze powder, exposed to 1 Kilowatt of microwave energy, will be calculated to show the difference in heating rates. The specific heat of stainless steel is 0.51 KiloJoules per Kilogram-Degrees Kelvin. The specific heat of bronze is 0.43 KiloJoules per Kilogram-Degrees Kelvin. The distribution of microwave energy is assumed to be homogeneous.

[0067] Since metal powders couple with microwave energy and heat volumetrically, the absorption of microwave energy will be approximately proportional to the mass of each of the powders. For this example, the microwave energy is split evenly between the two powders resulting in the following heating rate calculations:


Stainless Steel d/dt=0.5 KW/(0.5 kg*0.51 KJ/Kg-K)


Stainless Steel d/dt=1.96 deg./sec


Bronze d/dt=0.5 KW/(0.5 kg*0.43 KJ/Kg-K)


Bronze d/dt=2.33 deg./sec

[0068] If the metal powders are jointly exposed to 1 KW of microwave energy for five minutes (300 seconds) and no heat loss is assumed, the temperature of the metal powders would be as follows:


Stainless steel=588 deg. Celsius


Bronze=699 Deg. Celsius

[0069] As shown above, there is a temperature differential of 111 degrees Celsius between the metal powders. In other terms, bronze will heat up to a temperature 1.19 times higher than stainless steel during microwave processing. Since the microwave densification process of the present invention is continuous and takes place in a common, atmosphere controlled environment, the temperature differential between the two powders must be approximately equalized in order to achieve temperature control of the entire microwave densification process.

[0070] Embodiments of the present invention exploit the microwave absorption behavior of metal powders to approximately equalize their heating rates. The absorption of microwave energy by metal powders is dependent on the particle size of the powder and the green density of the part. In general terms, as green density increases, heating rates decrease. Conversely, as particle size increases, heating rates decrease.

[0071] For certain embodiments of the present invention, the green density of a fully debound part can vary from 50% to 95%. Conversely, the amount of binder can vary from 5% to 50% in such embodiments. Once the green density of the part has been determined, the particle size of the base metal powder and the secondary infiltrant metal powder can be selected such that their heating rates are approximately equalized when exposed to microwave energy.

[0072] For each combination of metal powders in the green part and secondary metal infiltrant powder, there is an ideal particle size ratio between the powders that results in the heating rates being approximately equalized.

[0073] To execute the microwave densification process of the present disclosure, a green part is placed in contact with the secondary infiltrant metal powder and placed inside a microwave applicator under a controlled atmosphere to prevent oxidation of the metal powders. The particle size ratio between the metal powders in the green part and the secondary infiltrant metal powder should be previously selected to approximately equalize the heating rates of the powders. This approximate equalization is needed to maintain control of the temperature during densification.

[0074] Microwave densification takes place in a continuous, uninterrupted cycle starting with debinding the green part with microwave energy to thermally decompose any binders leaving behind a brown part. A brown part is a green part that has had all the binder removed, leaving a lightly sintered, porous metal skeleton. After thermal debinding, the brown part is microwave sintered to a partial density at a temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of the secondary infiltrant metal powder.

[0075] This is followed by microwave infiltration with the secondary infiltrant metal powder at a temperature which is higher than the melting point of the infiltrant metal powder but lower than melting temperature of the metal powders in the green part. The melted secondary infiltrant metal powder can be absorbed into the porous brown part by capillary action, resulting in a fully dense metal part with minimal dimensional deviations and free of defects.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 1, a flow chart is provided for steps involved in one specific embodiment of a microwave densification process 100 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, process 100 includes a first step 101 involving selecting a primary metal powder size such that its heating rate is maximized under microwave energy. Process 100 next involves step 102 of making primary metal powder and binder feedstock such that green parts have a density of 50% to 95% of the bulk density of the primary metal. Step 103 involves using feedstock to generate a green part by a suitable process (e.g. additive manufacturing, injection molding or powder metallurgy methods). Next, process 100 involves step 104, which involves selecting the infiltrant metal powder size such that its heating rate is approximately equal (e.g. within +/30%) to the heating rate of the primary metal powder in the green part. In other words, the heating rate of the secondary infiltrant powder is greater than 70 percent and less than 130 percent of the heating rate of the primary metal powder.

[0077] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 next involves step 105, which includes exposing the green part to a solvent to remove a portion of the binder. This can be followed by step 106, which involves placing the green part in contact with an infiltrant powder inside an insulated vessel that is transparent to microwave energy. The next step in process 100 includes step 107, which involves placing the insulated vessel inside a microwave densification chamber (e.g. a microwave furnace). Process 100 follows with step 108, which involves performing microwave densification in a continuous, uninterrupted cycle under a controlled atmosphere, which further includes: (1) thermal debinding; (2) sintering; and (3) infiltration. As previously noted, continuous microwave densification methods perform the steps of thermal debinding, sintering and infiltration without the need to access or otherwise manipulate the green part, the brown part or the infiltrant metal powder within the microwave furnace once the microwave irradiation process begins.

[0078] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure include apparatus configured to conduct aspects of process 100. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates an insulated densification vessel 10 suitable for use as the insulated vessel used in steps 106-108 of process 100 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, densification vessel 10 comprises a cover 1 and a containment structure 3. Cover 1 is illustrated detached from containment structure 3 in FIG. 2. It is understood that cover 1 can be coupled to containment structure 3 to surround an interior volume 52 in densification vessel 10. In exemplary embodiments, densification vessel 10 may be constructed from high temperature microwave transparent materials capable of withstanding mechanical loads imposed by a vacuum.

[0079] In the embodiment shown, cover 1 further comprises a vacuum seal 2, while containment structure 3 further comprises internal insulation 4. In addition, containment structure 3 also comprises a first port 9 (which may be coupled to a vacuum source) and second port 8 (which may be coupled to a source of an inert gas). First port 9 and second port 8 are in fluid communication with interior volume 52, such that a vacuum can be placed on interior volume 52 and/or an inert gas can be directed to interior volume 52 as desired.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom side of the containment structure 3 comprises a vacuum seal 5. As shown in FIG. 2, a green part 6 made from metallic particulate held by a binder 51 and infiltrating metal powder 7 are shown inside interior volume 52 of densification vessel 10.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of a microwave densification chamber 19 (e.g. a microwave furnace) made from lightweight microwave reflective materials is shown. In exemplary embodiments, microwave densification chamber 19 is suitable for use in steps 107-108 of process 100 in FIG. 1.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, microwave densification chamber 19 comprises a solid state microwave source 11, which radiates microwave energy into a waveguide 12 during operation. In the embodiment shown, microwave densification chamber 19 also comprises a second solid state microwave source 13 that radiates microwave energy into a waveguide 14. Microwave densification chamber 19 further comprises a chamber volume 18 with a base plate 15, a first port 16 coupled to a vacuum source and a second port 17 coupled to an inert gas source.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 4, a system 150 is shown with high temperature densification vessel 10 located inside microwave densification chamber 19. For purposes of clarity, not all elements are labeled with references numbers in the figures. When densification vessel 10 is placed inside chamber volume 18 of microwave densification chamber 19, first port 17 and second port 16 can be coupled to first port 9 and second port 8, respectively. Accordingly, an inert gas can be directed to interior volume 52 when densification vessel 10 is located within chamber volume 18 and a vacuum (e.g. reduced pressure) can be placed on interior volume 52.

[0084] In the embodiment shown, system 150 comprises a solenoid valve 20 to control the flow of inert gases, which is coupled to a pressure sensor 21, which in turn is coupled to a pressurized inert gas tank 22. In this embodiment, system 150 also comprises a vacuum sensor 23, which is coupled to solenoid valve 24 to control the vacuum in interior volume 52. Solenoid valve 24 is also coupled to a vacuum pump 25 configured to reduce the pressure in interior volume 52.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, system 150 includes a control system 27 coupled to solid state microwave sources 11 and 13, solenoid valve 20, pressure sensor 21, vacuum sensor 23, solenoid valve 24, vacuum pump 25 and ambient temperature sensor 26. During use, control system 27 can control components of system 150 to regulate operational parameters, including for example, temperature within interior volume 52.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a typical temperature versus time heating profile for microwave densification, which includes profile segments for debinding, sintering and infiltration. It is understood the time and temperature ranges shown in FIG. 5 are just examples for one embodiment, and that other heating profiles for different embodiments will have different time and temperature ranges.

[0087] In the embodiment shown, the debind ramp segment increases the temperature from ambient to approximately 600 degrees Celsius over a period of time of approximately 15 minutes. This temperature is then held for approximately 45 additional minutes in the debind hold segment. In this embodiment, a sinter ramp segment increases the temperature to approximately 900 degrees Celsius over a period of time of approximately 15 minutes. This temperature is then held for approximately 45 additional minutes in the sinter hold segment. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the infiltrate ramp segment increases the temperature to approximately 1250 degrees Celsius over a period of time of approximately 15 minutes. This temperature is again held for approximately 45 additional minutes in the infiltrate hold segment. As previously noted, the temperature and time ranges illustrated in FIG. 5 are merely exemplary, and other embodiments may include different parameters than those shown and described here.

[0088] Referring now to FIG. 6, a flow chart is illustrated of steps taken by control system 27 to execute and control the microwave densification cycle in one exemplary embodiment. In the embodiment shown, a user can input the parameters for part properties in step 28 (e.g. properties for green part 6 shown in FIG. 2). In exemplary embodiments, the part properties can include the type of material, mass, volume, surface area and thickness of the part.

[0089] In exemplary embodiments, the input of the parameters may be accomplished by manual or electronic means, including for example, wireless transmission. Utilizing the values of the parameters for part properties 28, control system 27 can use a reference database to generate a microwave densification heating profile 29 that includes time and temperature values for the heating profile segments corresponding to debinding, sintering and infiltration. An example of one embodiment of a microwave densification heating profile is shown in FIG. 5.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 6, an ambient temperature sensor can provide control system 27 ambient temperature data 30 prior to the start of densification cycle 31. After the start of the densification cycle 31, the control system 27 starts executing the densification heating profile 29. If the profile segment is of the Ramp type 32 ramping to a temperature, the control system 27 uses an algorithm to calculate the microwave power level 33 necessary to achieve the heating rate specified by the densification heating profile 29 without the need for direct temperature feedback. In exemplary embodiments, the algorithm is based on analytical data and design of experiment techniques which provide a mathematical representation used to calculate the microwave power required for the corresponding heating profile segment.

[0091] The calculated microwave power 33 necessary to achieve the heating rate is applied in step 34 for the time specified by the densification heating profile 29 until the profile segment is finished. If the profile segment is of the Hold type in step 35, control system 27 uses an algorithm to calculate the microwave power level 36 necessary to maintain the temperature specified by the densification heating profile 29 without the need for direct temperature feedback. In exemplary embodiments, the algorithm is based on analytical data and design of experiment techniques which provide a mathematical representation used to calculate the microwave power required to maintain the temperature of corresponding heating profile segment.

[0092] The calculated microwave power 36 necessary to maintain the temperature is applied in step 34 for the time specified by the densification heating profile 29 until the profile segment is finished in step 37. During the application of the calculated power to the applicable profile segment 34, control system 27 can modulate the amplitude, frequency and phase of the microwave energy to minimize losses related to reflected microwave energy and provide homogeneous distribution of the microwave energy.

[0093] In exemplary embodiments, control system 27 can monitor the heating profile segment and determine if the profile segment is finished in step 37. If the heating profile segment is not finished, control system 27 can continue to apply power until the profile segment is finished as defined by the densification heating profile 29. If the profile segment is finished in step 37, control system 27 can determine if that was the last heating profile segment in step 38. If it is not the last profile segment, control system 27 goes to the next profile segment in step 39. If it is the last profile segment, control system 27 ends the microwave densification cycle.

[0094] As described herein, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide operational benefits to address issues with existing technologies.

[0095] All of the devices, systems and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the devices, systems and methods of this invention have been described in terms of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the devices, systems and/or methods in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCES

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