Thermal power forging is an important component in thermal power generation equipment, its quality and performance directly affect the safety and efficiency of thermal power generation equipment. With the adjustment of energy structure and the growth of power demand, the manufacturing of thermal power forgings is facing higher requirements and challenges. Powder metallurgy, as an advanced material preparation technology, has the characteristics of simple preparation process and excellent material properties, and has broad application prospects in the manufacture of thermal power forging. From the point of view of powder metallurgy technology, this paper will discuss its application scenarios and development trends in thermal power forging manufacturing.
Powder metallurgy technology is an advanced technology to prepare metals, alloys and composite materials by mixing, pressing and sintering of powdered raw materials. Compared with traditional melting and casting methods, powder metallurgy technology has the following advantages:
Excellent material performance: Powder metallurgy technology can prepare materials with fine grains, high density and high performance, and the strength, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and other properties of the material can be significantly improved.
The preparation process is simple: powder metallurgy technology saves the tedious melting and casting process, reduces the waste of materials and energy consumption, and reduces the production cost.
High material utilization rate: Powder metallurgy technology can achieve near-net forming, reduce machining allowance, and improve the utilization rate of materials.
Refractory metals and alloys can be prepared: Powder metallurgy technology can prepare refractory metals and alloys that are difficult to prepare by traditional methods by controlling the sintering temperature and atmosphere.
Application of powder metallurgy technology in manufacturing thermal power forgings
Preparation of superalloy: thermal power forgings need to work at high temperatures for a long time, and the high temperature resistance of their materials is very high. Powder metallurgy technology can prepare superalloys with excellent high temperature properties, such as nickel based, iron based and cobalt based superalloys, etc., to meet the requirements of thermal power forgings.
Preparation of wear-resistant materials: thermal power forgings will suffer serious wear during service and need to have good wear resistance. Powder metallurgy technology can prepare materials with high hardness and high wear resistance, such as carbide, nitride and boride, etc., for surface strengthening and wear-resistant coatings of thermal power forgings.
Preparation of corrosion-resistant materials: thermal power forgings will be severely corroded during service and need to have good corrosion resistance. Powder metallurgy technology can prepare materials with excellent corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel, nickel base and titanium base alloys, for the manufacture and surface protection of thermal power forgings.
Forming of complex shapes: thermal power forgings have complex shapes and structures, which are difficult to achieve with traditional processing methods. Powder metallurgy technology can prepare high-performance materials with complex shapes through powder injection molding, isostatic pressing and other methods to meet the manufacturing requirements of thermal power forgings.
With the continuous development of science and technology, powder metallurgy technology will play an increasingly important role in the manufacture of thermal power forgings. The development trend of powder metallurgy technology in the future mainly includes the following aspects:
Development of new materials: With the continuous development of new energy and new technologies, the demand for new materials is getting higher and higher. Powder metallurgy technology will play an important role in the development and preparation of new materials, such as high-performance ceramics, nanomaterials and composites.
Research on new processes: powder metallurgy technology will continue to develop and improve, research new preparation processes and methods, improve the performance of materials and reduce production costs. Such as high temperature and high pressure sintering, microwave sintering and plasma sintering and other new processes will continue to emerge and improve.
Digital and intelligent development: With the continuous development of digital and intelligent technology, powder metallurgy technology will achieve digital and intelligent production. Through the introduction of technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of Things, the automation, intelligence and optimal control of the production process are realized, and the production efficiency and product quality are improved.
Environmental protection and sustainable development: With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness and the requirements of sustainable development, powder metallurgy technology will pay more attention to environmental protection and sustainable development. Research on low pollution, low energy consumption of the preparation process and material recycling technology, to achieve green manufacturing and sustainable development of materials.
The application scenario and development trend of powder metallurgy technology in thermal power forging are introduced in this paper. Powder metallurgy technology has the characteristics of simple preparation process and excellent material properties, and has broad application prospects in the manufacture of thermal power forging. In the future, with the development of new materials, new processes and digital intelligent technology, powder metallurgy technology will play an increasingly important role in thermal power forging manufacturing. At the same time, environmental protection and sustainable development will also become an important direction of the development of powder metallurgy technology.
