Sintering of 316L stainless steels to high density via the addition of chromium-molybdenum dibromide powders Part 1: sintering performance and mechanical properties

Single and mixed additions of both chromium diboride and molybdenum diborid e powders were effective in raising the sintered density of water-atomized 316L stainless steel to 98 per cent of the full density at sintering temper atures in the range 1250-1300 degreesC. Chromium diboride was more effectiv e than molybdenum diboride in reducing the sintering temperature. The mechanical properties in terms of tensile strength and ductility were s uperior to those obtained with normal sintered stainless steel and the allo ys exhibited considerable ductility despite the presence of a grain boundar y boride eutectic phase, Mixed additions of both chromium plus molybdenum d iboride gave the best overall levels of strength and ductility.