Powder metallurgy lubricant composition and methods for using same
AssigneeHoeganaes Corporation
InventorsSydney Luk, Ann Lawrence
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides lubricant compositions for the powder metallurgical field. The lubricant compositions contain a solid phase lubricant such as graphite, molybdenum disulfide, and polytetrafluoroethylene in combination with a liquid phase lubricant that is a binder for the solid phase lubricant. The binder can be chosen from various classes of compounds including polyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol esters, partial esters of C.sub.3-6 polyhydric alcohols, polyvinyl esters, and polyvinyl pyrrolidones. The binder is solubilized in an organic solvent.
Claims15
A method of making a compacted metal part, comprising:
- applying a lubricant composition to a wall of a die cavity, said lubricant composition comprising
- (a) from about 5 to about 50 weight percent of a solid lubricant that comprises, as a major component, graphite, molybdenum disulfide, polytetrafluoroethylene, or mixtures thereof;
- (b) from about 1 to about 30 weight percent of a binder for said lubricant, said lubricant binder comprising
- (1) polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight of from about 3000 to about 35,000;
- (2) polyethylene glycol esters having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 10,000, wherein the ester functionality is formed from saturated and unsaturated C.sub.12-36 fatty acids;
- (3) partial esters of C.sub.3-6 polyhydric alcohols wherein the ester functionality is formed from saturated and unsaturated C.sub.12-36 fatty acids;
- (4) polyvinyl esters having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 200, wherein the ester functionality is formed from saturated and unsaturated C.sub.12-36 fatty acids;
- (5) polyvinyl pyrrolidones having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 200;
- or
- (6) mixtures thereof;
- and
- (c) from about 30 to about 90 weight percent an organic solvent for the lubricant binding agent;
- introducing an iron-based powder composition into said die cavity;
- and
- compacting said powder composition at a pressure of at least about 5 tsi for a time sufficient to form a compacted part from said metal powder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.