Free graphite containing powders

Abstract

An improved atomized powder metal material containing an increased amount of free graphite after heat treatment and/or sintering is provided. The powder metal material is typically a ferrous alloy and includes carbon in an amount of 1.0 wt. % to 6.5 wt. % and silicon in an amount of 0.1 wt. % to 6.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the powder metal material. The powder metal material can also include various other alloying elements, for example at least one of nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), aluminum (Al), sulfur (S), phosphorous (P), boron (B), nitrogen (N), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tungsten (W), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta) zirconium (Zr), zinc (Zn), strontium (Sr), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba) magnesium (Mg), lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.