Abstract
The machinability of austenitic stainless steel has been problematic due to its high work hardening rate, excellent ductility and poor thermal conductivity. In this study, the effects of copper additions of 2, 3 and 4 wt-%, and the sintering atmosphere, hydrogen and cracked ammonia, on the machinability of injection moulded 316L specimens were investigated. The results show that the copper addition improved the machinability and slightly reduced the oxygen content of sintered compacts. The weight loss data show comparable corrosion resistance with copper added. The compacts sintered in dissociated ammonia had a lower cutting force but a higher corrosion rate than those sintered in hydrogen. Considering the machinability and the corrosion resistance, the optimum results were attained by adding 3 wt-% copper and sintering in pure hydrogen.
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