Forged P/M Alloy Steels

A process for producing net-near forged structural components from 4,600 prealloyed steel powder metallurgy preforms was established. A machine gun part, differential gears and a guide fin for a Navy projectile were produced as demonstration components. P/M forging with near-theoretical density, microstructural uniformity and low interstitial content provided notched impact strengths and ductility comparable to bar stock forgings. Costs approximately 50% lower than conventionally processed components were projected for the P/M forging process. 3 refs.