P/M Valve Seat Insert Material with Improved Machinability

Increasing demands are being placed by automotive OEM's on valve seat insert suppliers to improve the machinability of their products due to the direct impact on the productivity at the cylinder head machining line. To meet this challenge, a new P/M valve seat insert material was developed through a partnership between OEM, a valve seat insert manufacturer and a powder supplier. The object of this paper is to compare current materials to the new material's enhanced machinability through powder characterization, material properties and machinability studies. The effect of machinability enhancement additives, P/M processing and machining parameters are also reviewed.