Effect of hot pressing variables on the microstructure, relative density and hardness of sterling silver (Ag-Cu alloy) powder compacts

The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of the hot pressing variables, namely pressure, time and temperature, on the microstructure, density and hardness in a sterling silver alloy. Powders were hot pressed under different combinations of pressures (25MPa, 35MPa and 45MPa), times (10 min, 30 min and 60 min) and temperatures (250 ºC, 300 ºC, 400 ºC, 500 ºC and 700 ºC). The microstructures of hot pressed compacts were analyzed by the means of SEM/EDS and optical microscopy. The density and hardness of specimens were assessed. The microstructure of all specimens consisted i...