Microstructure and property evolution during the sintering of stainless steel alloy with Si3N4

This paper describes the sintering of a martensitic stainless steel alloy with addition of Si3N4. Sintering behavior was studied at different sintering temperatures ranging from 1250 to 1400 °C with different holding times (20-80 min) and with varying Si3N4. Results showed that the samples were densified rapidly via liquid phase sintering mechanism. Nearly full density was obtained at 1300 °C after 60 min of holding time with 5 wt% Si3N4. Temperature above 1350 °C and Si3N4 content 10 wt% caused slumping of the samples. Two weight percent Si3N4 was found chemically stable in steel alloy. Above 2 wt% Si3N4 dissolved in the steel matrix. The distribution of dissolved Si and N was characterized by XMAP. When N content reached much above its solubility limit in steel alloy it diffused out leaving pores in steel alloy with considerable decrease in the sintered density. The mechanical properties of the sintered product with varying Si3N4 were measured. A maximum ultimate tensile strength of 1011 MPa was achieved with 2 wt% Si3N4 sintered at 1300 °C after 60 min of holding time. Fracture morphologies of tensile samples are also reported.