Effect of Zr, Nb and Ti Additions on Injection Molded 316L Stainless Steel: Microstructural, Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance

Abstract

The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of Zr, Nb and Ti additions on microstructural, mechanical and electrochemical properties of injection molded 316L stainless steel. The amount of additive powder plays a role in determining the sintered microstructure and all properties. In this study, 316L stainless steel powders used with the elemental Zr, Nb and Ti powders. The binders were completely removed from molded components by solvent and thermal debinding. The debinded samples were sintered at different temperature for 60 min. at different temperatures. Mechanical property, microstructural characterization and electrochemical property of the sintered samples were performed using tensile testing, hardness, optical, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical experiments. Results of study showed that sintered 316L and 316L with additive powder samples exhibited high mechanical and corrosion properties in a physiological environment.