Reinforcing 316L stainless steel with intermetallic and carbide particles

A study was made of the change in properties of 316L stainless steel depending on the type and the amount of added reinforcement. The reinforcements used were Cr2Al, Cr2Ti, VC, SiC; and the amounts were 1.5 and 3 vol.%. All materials were manufactured by mixing the powders with 0.6 wt.% of wax, compacting at 700 MPa, and sintering at 1230 °C in a 75% H2–25% N2 atmosphere. The properties evaluated include sintering density, tensile strength, hardness, corrosion (salt spray test) and wear, and a microstructural study was also made. The intermetallics and carbides mostly improve corrosion properties without degrading mechanical properties.