Abstract
Pulsed Current Pressure Sintering (PCPS) was applied for sintering of the automotive component “rackguide” which is a part of a steering device. Al, Cu, Si and Al-Mg powder were used as starting materials. These powders were mixed at A2014 alloy composition. Microstructure observation by OM and SEM, vickers hardness measurement, tensile test and dimensional measurement of the sintered compacts were carried out. Results obtained were as follows. (1) Cu and Si powder particles were dissolved into Al matrix during sintering and heat treatment. (2) Maximum tensile strength and elongation of sintered compacts before heat treatment were 300 MPa and 17%, respectively. After heat treatment (T6), these values were changed to 400MPa and 8%, respectively. (3) Dimensions of the sintered compacts satisfied IT10 grade of dimensional tolerance in JIS B 0401-1. After pressed for sizing, the dimensions fulfilled the IT 7 grade.