Microwave (MW) sintering can be an efficient, economic and valuable approach for the processing of some PM parts. Previous work with powder particles' surface modification via sputter deposition of nanometric layers, showed that not only interparticle friction decreases (facilitating die filling), but also powders' reactivity is enhanced, increasing their sinterability. Low temperature sintering cycles were performed on uniaxially compacted specimens of 316L powder blends with and without coating, at 950 and 1000°C in both 2.45 GHz-1000 W MW oven and vacuum furnace. Low temperature cycles revealed the nanometric layer effect on sintering behaviour when compared to uncoated powders.
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