US3668951A

US3668951A - Force-applying tools

Info

Publication number: US3668951A
Application number: US871337A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles Robert Talmage
Original assignee: New Britain Machine Co
Current assignee: NATIONAL HAND TOOL Corp A CORP OF; New Britain Machine Co
Priority date: 1967-05-10
Filing date: 1969-10-27
Publication date: 1972-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-13

Abstract

Force-applying hand tools, such as wrench sockets, are disclosed produced by powder metallurgy. The working portion of the tool comprises a porous sintered body of heat treatable steel composition of high strength having an average density of at least 85 percent of true density and having an adherent plating of a protective metal coating on the surface thereof.

Description

United States Patent Talmage [4 1 June 13, 1972 [54] FORCE-APPLYIN G TOOLS [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,491,839 12/1949 Tinkler ..204/29 2,897,097 7/1959 Smith et a1. ..117/50 X 3,506,383 4/1970 Ewalt ...29/182.3 X

2,489,839 11/1949 Whitney 148/165 2,826,805 3/1958 Probst et al .148/126 X 2,827,407 3/1958 Carlson et al.... ..29/182 3,360,347 12/1967 Todd ..75/222 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Precision Metal Molding, Jan. 1953, pp. 47- 49 Metal Finishing, Nov. 1955, pp. 70- 73 Primary Examiner-Charles N. Lovell Attorney-Robert S. Smith, David S. Urey, Alan C. Rose and Alfred B. Levine 5 7] ABSTRACT Force-applying hand tools, such as wrench sockets, are disclosed produced by powder metallurgy. The working portion of the tool comprises a porous sintered body of heat treatable steel composition of high strength having an average density of at least 85 percent of true density and having an adherent plating of a protective metal coating on the surface thereof.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FORCE-APPLYING TOOLS This is a division of application Ser. No. 637,391, filed May 10, 1967, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,500 issued Apr. 14, 1970.

The invention relates to force-applying tools, such as socket wrenches, pliers, parts for ratchet wrenches, and the like, and to a powder metallurgy method for producing such tools.

In the production of certain hand tools, such as wrench sockets, pliers and similar tools, generally steel bar stock is employed from which the tools are fabricated using conventional forming methods, such as drop forging and machining methods. For example, in producing a wrench socket, cylindrical'bar stock is often employed which is machined into the desired configuration utilizing, for example, an automatic screw machine. The amount of machining required generally results in about 60 to 65 percent of the metal being recovered in the final product, the remainder being lost as machining scrap.

Certain hand tools, such as pliers, are produced by drop forging. The amount of recovered metal in the final product ranges from about 60 to 70 percent, the remainder being lost as flash material and due to cropping away of excess metal upon completion of the forging operation.

The steel bar stock employed in producing the foregoing type of tools is generally produced by hot rolling. Such bar stock usually has directional properties; that is to say, the physical properties in the longitudinal direction are generally higher than in the transverse direction. Thus, depending on the method of manufacture, the cleanliness of the metal, etc., such steels may not always have the desired transverse properties to meet specification requirements. Wrench sockets, for example, are usually subjected to high torque stresses in use and it is desirable that the steel from which the wrench is made have generally high but uniform physical properties in both the transverse and longitudinal directions.

It is an object of the invention to provide as an article of manufacture force-applying hand tools produced by powder metallurgy.

Another object is to provide a powder metallurgy method for producing force-applying tools characterized by an improved combination of physical properties.

A still further object is to provide a more economical and efficient method for producing hand tools.

These and other objects will more clearly appear when considered in the light of the following disclosure and the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGS. 1 to 3 are illustrative of a hexagonal wrench socket produced in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict in plan and elevation a plier element; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are reproductions of photomicrographs comparing the metallographic structure of a steel composition produced conventionally with one produced by power metallur S thting it broadly, the invention provides as an article of manufacture a force-applying tool comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition having a density less than true density, but which density at or near the surface of said sintered body is at least 89 percent of true density, the average density of the sintered body being at least 85 percent, and, more advantageously, at least 89 percent.

An advantageous feature of the tool comprising said sintered body is that, despite its porosity, it meets specification strength requirements, is generally much cleaner than steels made by the conventional methods of melting, casting and hot working, is generally free of directional properties, and moreover is more economical to produce. For example, in producing such tools utilizing powder metallurgy techniques, the metal yield in the final product is generally at least about 98 percent by weight of the starting material as compared to convention methods of production where a metal yield of about 65 percent is often considered normal. In addition, by controlling the metallurgical structure of the final product, an average density of about 85 to 97 percent can be utilized without substantially sacrificing the strength properties of the tool, while at the same time achieve a saving in raw material costs due to weight reduction and greatly reduced scrap loss.

In carrying the invention into practice, iron powder of high compressibility is employed to which a steel-forming ingredient is added, such as carbon with or without alloying additions, for example, nickel. Where the steel employed is plain carbon steel, the amount of carbon may range from about 0.3 to 0.8 percent, with the balance essentially iron. Where a nickel steel is employed, the composition may comprise about 1 to 5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance substantially iron. More advantageously the composition may contain about 1.5 to 3.5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.6 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron. Steels which may be employed may include, low, medium and high alloy steels, just so long as the steels are heat treatable, that is capable of being heat treated to form an austenitic decomposition product, such as pearlite annealed), martensite (hardened) or other austenitic decomposition products. The terms balance essentially or balance substantially" iron are meant to include the presence of other elements normally employed in steel compositions.

A metallurgical structure found particularly advantageous for the purposes of the invention is one in which the sintered tool element has a density varying from about to 97 percent of true density in the hardened condition, and in addition has a hardened surface zone of higher density produced by gas carburizing or by carbo-nitriding, it being understood that the term carburized covers the foregoing methods of surface hardening. The hardened surface advantageously has an adhering metal plating comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr. The hardened surface zone of higher density is important in that it reinforces the hardened porous substrate and makes it resistant to brinelling, that is, resistant to knicking and the like, the metal plate conferring resistance to corrosion to the tool. The hardened surface of higher density is further advantageous in that it insures metal plating of high quality.

As illustrative of the invention, the following example is given:

In producing a hexagonal wrench socket of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, atomized iron powder of high compressibility and average particle size of about approximately 75 microns is employed having an iron content of at least about 98 percent, with the balance small amounts of other ingredients, such as manganese, silicon, etc. To the iron is added 2 percent weight of carbonyl nickel powder of about 99.9 percent purity and of average particle size ranging from about 3 to 5 microns, and sufi'rcient carbon as natural graphite (about 5 microns average size) to provide a final carbon content of about 0.3 percent. About 1 percent by weight of lithium stearate is added and the mix blended by conventional means for about 1 hour.

Upon completion of the mixing, a given volume of the blended powder is pressed in a double acting die having a configuration corresponding to the wrench socket of FIGS. 1 to 3. The pressure generally ranges from about 30 tons per square inch to l 10 tons per square inch. In producing wrench socket having an CD. of about 0.4375 inch, a total pressure of about 10 tons was employed which corresponded to a pressure of almost 108 tons per square inch, the green density after pressing being approximately 91 percent.

After pressing, the tool element is then subjected to sintering in an atmosphere of cracked ammonia at a temperature of about 2,020 to 2,080 F. for about 10 to 40 minutes, the density after sintering remaining substantially unchanged. The apparent hardness as sintered ranges from about 50 to 60 R The tool element is thereafter subjected to heat treatment by heating it to an austenitizing temperature of about 1,650 F. and holding it at temperature for from 10 to 15 minutes in an atmosphere of cracked ammonia containing about 1 percent by volume of propane, the propane being using to avoid decarburization and to provide a thin carburized higher density case to the porous surface of the tool. The tool is then quenched from this temperature into a bath of fast quenching oil to convert the microstructure to martensite, with the apparent hardness ranging from about 45 to 55 Rc. After the tool has been hardened, it is then drawn at 450 F. for about 1 hour to lower the apparent hardness to about 38 to 43 Re.

The tool is then provided with a metal plating comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr by using conventional metal plating techniques, such as barrel or rack plating.

As will be appreciated, in carrying out the sintering and plating treatments, a plurality of tool elements would be handied at one time. Likewise, in producing the various tool parts, an automatically operable press may be employed. In sintering the parts, this may be done continuously by utilizing an endless conveyor passing through the sintering furnace.

In producing wrench sockets of the type shown in FIG. 1, it is desirable that the corners of the hex 10 have a radius of curvature 11 to avoid high stress concentration at the comers during use.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross section of the socket wrench is shown having a porous substrate 12 and a metal coating 13. FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrative of another force applying tool showing in plan and elevation one-half of a pair of pliers 14 produced in a similar manner as the socket wrench of FIGS. 1 to 3.

As has been stated hereinbefore, one of the advantages of the invention is that it enables the production of tools having uniform properties in both the transverse and longitudinal direction as compared to conventionally produced tools. In addition, the metallographic structure of the tool produced by the invention is generally cleaner. As illustrative of the foregoing, reference is made to FIGS. 6 and 7 which depict the metallographic structure of a conventionally produced tool (FIG. 6) and the tool produced by the invention (FIG. 7).

Referring to FIG. 6, which is a representation of a micrograph of a screw machine blank taken at 2OOX diameter, elongated non-metallic inclusions are shown running in a longitudinal direction. Generally, such structures have directional longitudinal properties at the sacrifice of transverse properties. Such direction properties in a wrench socket results in reduced torque strength.

On the other hand, FIG. 7, which is a representation of a micrograph of a sintered blank taken at 200X diameter, shows no elongated inclusion in the substantially uniform structure. It will be noted from FIG. 7 that there is a thin densified zone below the metal plate.

Broadly speaking, the method aspect of the invention comprises 1) providing a batch of metal powder comprising a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon; (2) confining a measured quantity of the powder into a cavity of a die having a final configuration of the hand tool element desired; (3) pressing the confined powder at a pressure ranging from about 30 to 110 tsi; the pressure being selected to provide a pressed density of at least 85 percent of true density; (4) sintering the element at an elevated temperature e.g. about 1,800 to 2.200 F. or more, advantageously from about 2,0l to 2,080 F., in a protective atmosphere that does not adversely affect the carbon content of the steel for a time sufficient to produce a high strength product; (5) heat treating the sintered product by heating it to an austenitizing temperature in an atmosphere protective to the carbon content of the steel, preferably an atmosphere protective to the carbon content of the steel, preferably an atmosphere containing a small amount of carburizing gas; (6) quenching the product at a rate to form martensite followed by tempering; and (7) then plating the surface of the heat treated porous tool body with a protective metal coating, such as a metal coating selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr.

Microscopic examination of etched samples of sintered nickel steel sockets produced in accordance with the invention reveals a generally heterogeneous structure characterized by a dispersion throughout the steel matrix of a plurality of bright nickel-rich areas. Tests have indicated that sintered tools having such nickel alloy structures exhibit good mechanical properties.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the invention and the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron having a density at and near the surface of said portion of at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body and the metallographic structure of the porous sintered body is characterized by an austenitic decomposition product, wherein the surface of said porous sintered body has a carburized zone and wherein said metal plating covers and adheres to said carburized zone.

2. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion is a wrench socket.

3. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 1 to 5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron and having a density at and near the surface of said portion of at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.

4. The hand tool of claim 5, wherein the nickel in the sintered steel composition is substantially dispersed throughout the steel matrix as nickel rich areas.

5. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 1.5 to 3.5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.6 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron and having a density at and near the surface of said portion of at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body and said body portion is a wrench socket.

6. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron wherein the average density of said porous sintered steel body ranges from about 89 to 97 percent of true density and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.

7. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 percent to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron having an average density less than true density but being at least percent of true density, the density at and near the surface of said portion being greater than the average density and at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body and the metallographic structure of the porous sintered body is characterized by an austenitic decomposition product,

but being at least percent of true density, the density at and near the surface of said portion being greater than the average density and at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.

10. The hand tool of claim 9, wherein the nickel in the sintered steel composition is substantially dispersed throughout the steel matrix as nickel rich areas.

Claims

2. The hand tool of claim 1, wherein said body portion is a wrench socket.
3. As an articlE of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 1 to 5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron and having a density at and near the surface of said portion of at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.
4. The hand tool of claim 5, wherein the nickel in the sintered steel composition is substantially dispersed throughout the steel matrix as nickel rich areas.
5. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 1.5 to 3.5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.6 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron and having a density at and near the surface of said portion of at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body and said body portion is a wrench socket.
6. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron wherein the average density of said porous sintered steel body ranges from about 89 to 97 percent of true density and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.
7. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition containing about 0.3 percent to 0.8 percent carbon and the balance essentially iron having an average density less than true density but being at least 85 percent of true density, the density at and near the surface of said portion being greater than the average density and at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body and the metallographic structure of the porous sintered body is characterized by an austenitic decomposition product, wherein the surface of said body has a carburized zone and wherein said metal plating covers and adheres to said carburized zone.
8. The hand tool of claim 7, wherein said body portion is a wrench socket.
9. As an article of manufacture a force-applying hand tool having a working portion with which force is applied during use, said portion comprising a porous sintered body of a heat treatable steel composition comprising about 1 to 5 percent nickel, about 0.3 to 0.8 percent carbon, and the balance essentially iron having an average density less than true density but being at least 85 percent of true density, the density at and near the surface of said portion being greater than the average density and at least 89 percent of true density, and a smooth adherent plating of metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Cd, Ni and Cr covering the surface of said porous sintered body.
10. The hand tool of claim 9, wherein the nickel in the sintered steel composition is substantially dispersed throughout the steel matrix as nickel rich areas.