Effect of sintering temperature on microstructure and properties of MIM420 stainless steel

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the effect of different sintering temperatures on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 420 stainless steel prepared by metal injection molding (MIM). The results show that in the temperature range of 1300 to 1360, the internal structure of MIM420 stainless steel is mainly lath martensite and the fracture mode is quasi cleavage fracture. With the increase of sintering temperature, the relative density, strength and hardness of MIM420 stainless steel increase, and the carbon and oxygen content decreases, but the strength decreases when the sintering temperature exceeds 1340. When the sintering temperature reaches 1360, the sample will be slightly over sintered, so the appropriate sintering temperature is 1340. At 1340, the relative density, hardness, bending strength and ultimate tensile strength of the sample are 98.2 ± 0.4%, 54 ± 1HRC, 1229 ± 28 MPa and 1111 ± 26 MPa respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Sintering temperature
• MIM420 stainless steel
• structure
• performance
• dimensional accuracy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Zheng Huang

Zheng Huang is postgraduate student of the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University. He is mainly engaged in metal injection molding research.

Xingquan Jiang

Xingquan Jiang graduated from the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University. He is currently working in Changsha Juzhong Metallurgy Technology Co., Ltd, engaged in metal injection molding research and product development.

Duxin Li

Duxin Li is a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University. He has been engaged in the field of polymer materials and metal injection molding for many years.

Zhongchen Yang

Zhongchen Yang graduated from the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University. He is currently working in Changsha Juzhong Metallurgy Technology Co., Ltd, engaged in metal injection molding research and product development.

Renwei Lu

Renwei Lu graduated from the State Key Laboratory of Powder Metallurgy, Central South University. He is currently working in Changsha Juzhong Metallurgy Technology Co., Ltd, engaged in metal injection molding research and product development.