Effect of Particle Size on Sintering Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Injection Molded 316L Powder

摘要

The application of powder injection molding technology for the fabrication of metallic and non- metallic components is of growing interest as the process considerably saves time and cost. Utilizing this fabrication method, full dense components are being prepared in various sizes. In this study, different sized 316L stainless steel (austenitic stainless steel) powders were used. 316L stainless steel samples were produced by Powder Injection Molding and investigated to microstructural evaluation and mechanical properties. The 316L stainless steel powders were mixed to polimeric binder and molded as standard tensile bars. Molded bars were solvent and thermal debinded and sintered under ultra pure hydrogen atmosphere. After sintering, microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of sintered specimens was performed with different analysis methods. Sintered density, tensile strength and hardness increased with sintering temperature and decreasing powder particle size.