Preparation and Properties of Cu-10Sn Alloy Infiltrated 316L Stainless Steel Composites

A new method to produce powder metallurgy (P/M) 316L stainless steel matrix composite by pressureless infiltrating Cu-10Sn alloy was studied. The effect of various compaction pressures and infiltrating temperatures on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance was investigated. The results show that high density P/M 316L stainless steel matrix composite could be achieved by infiltration. A maximum relative density of 98% was achieved, provided that the porosity of the skeleton was controlled at 18%~22%. After infiltration, hardness of the samples increased from 49 HRB to 89 HRB. Moreover, the critical corrosion potential reached -212 mV, close to the level of as cast 316L stainless steel. The hardness of infiltrated composite of the same density decreased with increase in initial skeleton density. It was necessary to prevent the egregious grain growth while the infiltrating temperature was too high.