Iron powders were warm compacted in air utilizing liquid tin as a lubricant. Liquid tin functioned effectively as a lubricant over the entire range of compacting pressures examined (207-414 MPa). Under equivalent conditions, at compacting pressures of 414 MPa (30 tsi), liquid tin was shown to have lubricity comparable to inc stearate. Liquid tin was found to be most effective as a lubricant when present in low concentrations (less than 5%, by weight) and when subjected to high compacting pressures. Lubricant removal, prior to sintering, was unnecessary since solution of tin in iron caused no apparent impairment to strength. Solution rates of tin in iron were sufficiently rapid to be capable of saturating iron with tin at 1121°C within 30 minutes. Grain growth and shrinkage during sintering were enhanced by the presence of tin.
