Master sintering curve concepts applied to full-density supersolidus liquid phase sintering of 316L stainless steel powder

Abstract

Supersolidus liquid phase sintering (SLPS) is an important liquid phase sintering variant that is used to densify prealloyed powders. The densification behaviour of a boron doped 316L stainless steel during SLPS is treated using a master sintering curve (MSC) concept based on the integral time–temperature work of sintering. With this approach, the MSC analysis is able to identify a fundamental change in the densification rate that is indicative of a mechanistic shift during SLPS.