Abstract

Densificationbehavior of conventional austenitic stainless steel powder compacts was studied by comparing the relative density of sintered compact(Ds)with that of green compacts(Dg)prepared with various catbon contents and P/M process. Dg of 304and 316 powders by warm compaction under pressure of 686 MPa at heating temperature of powder(553K) and dies (573K) were 80% and 81%, repectively, whichwere 2 and 3% higher than those of conventional green compacts at the same pressure. Ds of 304 compacts sintered at 1373K in H2 gas has the same value of 84% max. regardless of compacting temperature, and Ds of 316 compacts at the same sintering conditions were 80% by conventional compaction and 83% by warm compaction. Oxygen contents of 304 and 316 sintered compacts were increased 1.43∼2.94% and 0.010∼0.921% higher than those of raw powders and warm green compacts, respectively. In other case, Ds of 316 compacts sintered at 1573K in vacuum had the same value of 86%max. And Ds of 316 compacts at the same sintering conditions were 83% and 86% by conventional and warm compaction, respectively. Oxygen contents of 304 sintered compacts were 0.321% and 0.360%, and in case of 316, they were 0.419% and 0.182% by the respective compating condition. With carbon additions in the range 0.1∼0.6% Ds increased to the extent of 86∼89% in 304 sintered compacts, and to 82∼84% and 85∼87% in 316 according to different two compacting peocesses compared to those of sintered compacts without carbon addition.