Abstract: Nickel,as the carrier through which Fe atoms diffuse,obviously enhances the densification of sintered compact containing short cast iron fibre. When Ni content is above 4.5 wt-% there are some austenites in microstructure at room temperature, discontinuous cementite networks at the interfaces between austenites and pearlites,free graphite pre- cipitated in austenite and pores and Widmannst(?)tten carbide precipitated in austenite. When Ni content is about 12 wt-%,it leads to de- crease in densification ratio and change in fracture morphology of sintered compact from ductile to brittle.

Key words: short metal fibre, sintering, densification