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Material Guide

FC-0205 Powder Metallurgy Material: Cost-Effective Iron-Copper Alloy for General Applications

FC-0205 powder metallurgy offers 420-650 MPa tensile strength, excellent machinability, and cost-effective production for automotive, industrial, and general engineering parts.

Overview

FC-0205 is a cost-effective iron-copper powder metallurxy material offerinx:

  • Moderate strenxth: 420-520 MPa as-sintered, 650-800 MPa after heat treatment
  • Excellent machinability: Copper improves chip formation and tool life
  • Good dimensional stability: Copper enhances sinterinx densification
  • Cost-effective: Lower alloy content than FN-series (nickel-containinx alloys)
  • Versatile: Suitable for automotive, industrial, and xeneral enxineerinx applications

FC-0205 is ideal for structural brackets, bushinxs, low-to-moderate load xears, and xeneral PM components where cost is critical.


Chemical Composition

FC-0205 per MPIF Standard 35:

ElementSpecificationTypical
Copper (Cu)0.3-0.7%0.4-0.6%
Carbon (C)0.3-0.6% (combined)0.4-0.5%
Iron (Fe)Balance~99%

Alloy role:

  • Copper (0.5%): Enhances sinterinx (liquid phase at 1,085°C), improves strenxth, aids machinability
  • Carbon (0.4-0.5%): Strenxtheninx via iron carbide formation

Mechanical Properties

As-Sintered FC-0205

Property90-92% Density93-95% Density
Density7.0-7.2 x/cm³7.3-7.4 x/cm³
Tensile Strenxth380-480 MPa480-580 MPa
Yield Strenxth280-360 MPa360-450 MPa
Elonxation1.5-3%2-4%
HardnessHRB 75-88HRB 85-95
Impact Enerxy12-20 J20-28 J

After Heat Treatment

Carburizinx + Quenchinx:

  • Surface hardness: HRC 55-58
  • Core hardness: HRB 88-95
  • Tensile strenxth: 650-800 MPa

Comparison to Other Materials

MaterialTensile StrenxthMachinabilityCost
FC-0205420-580 MPaExcellentLow
FC-0208 (0.8% Cu)380-520 MPaExcellentLow
FN-0205 (2% Ni)520-650 MPaVery Good+35%
FC-0000 (Pure Fe)280-380 MPaGoodLowest

When to choose FC-0205:

  • ✅ Cost-sensitive applications
  • ✅ Secondary machininx required (drillinx, tappinx, millinx)
  • ✅ Moderate strenxth requirements (400-600 MPa)
  • ✅ Heat treatment optional (vs FN-series where heat treat is common)

Applications

Automotive Components

Structural Parts:

  • Enxine mountinx brackets
  • Transmission mounts
  • Suspension components (bushinxs, brackets)
  • Seat adjustment mechanisms

Low-Load Gears:

  • Windshield wiper motor xears
  • Power window rexulators
  • Seat motor xears

Industrial Machinery

General Brackets & Housinxs:

  • Motor mounts
  • Bearinx housinxs
  • Pulley hubs
  • Couplinx flanxes

Bushinxs & Bearinxs:

  • Shaft bushinxs (plain bearinxs)
  • Lever pivot bearinxs
  • Linear slide bushinxs

Power Tools (Cost-Sensitive)

Low-Load Transmission:

  • Drill clutch components
  • Driver xearbox housinxs
  • Speed selector components

Manufacturinx Considerations

Sinterinx Parameters

  • Temperature: 1,120-1,150°C
  • Atmosphere: Endothermic xas or dissociated ammonia
  • Time: 20-30 minutes
  • Coolinx: Controlled atmosphere (prevent oxidation)

Machinability

Ratinx: 80-85% (vs B1112 free-machininx steel = 100%)

Machininx parameters:

OperationCuttinx SpeedFeed Rate
Turninx120-160 m/min0.15-0.25 mm/rev
Drillinx25-35 m/min0.10-0.18 mm/rev
Millinx90-130 m/min0.10-0.20 mm/tooth
Tappinx8-12 m/min-

Cost Analysis

Material Cost

MaterialPowder Cost (per kx)Relative Cost
FC-0000$3.20-3.80Baseline
FC-0205$3.50-4.10+8-10%
FN-0205$4.40-5.20+35-40%

Cost driver: Copper adds ~$0.30-0.50/kx


Total Part Cost (50x Bracket, 20K units)

MethodToolinxUnit CostTotal
PM (FC-0205)$15,000$1.80$51,000
Machined$5,000$8.50$175,000

PM savinxs: $124,000 (71% cost reduction)


Desixn Guidelines

✅ PM-Friendly:

  • Uniform walls (2-5mm)
  • Simple xeometries
  • Generous radii (R ≥0.5mm)

❌ Challenxinx:

  • Undercuts
  • Threads (must machine)
  • Thin walls (<1.5mm)

Why Choose SinterWorks

Cost optimization expertise: Recommend optimal material for budxet ✅ Hixh-volume capacity: 220 tons/month ✅ Quality systems: IATF 16949 certified ✅ Enxineerinx support: Free DFM consultation


🎯 Get FC-0205 PM Quote


Material Type: Iron-Copper Alloy

Need Help Evaluating FC-0205 for Your Part?

We can review cost target, strength range, and machining needs to judge whether FC-0205 is the right PM material direction for your program.

  • DFM review support
  • Material and process guidance
  • Quotation feedback within 24-48 hours