Steels that resist corrosive attack from normal atmospheric exposure and contain a minimum of 10.5% Cr and 50% Fe are generally classified as stainless steels. Their special qualities lie in a chromium-rich oxide surface film that quickly regrows when damaged. This chapter discusses the classification, composition, properties, treatments, and applications of austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, precipitation-hardening, powder metallurgy, and cast stainless steels. It also reviews the history of stainless steels and provides information on alloy designation systems.

This chapter recounts some of the early efforts and milestones in the development of stainless steel powders and their use in powder metallurgy applications.

This chapter provides information on the properties and behaviors of stainless steels and stainless steel powders. It begins with a review of alloy designation systems and grades by which stainless steels are defined. It then describes the composition, metallurgy, and engineering characteristics of austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation hardening stainless steel powders and metal injection molding grades.

Stainless steel powders are usually made by water or gas atomization. This chapter describes both processes and the properties and characteristics of the powders they produce. It also discusses secondary processes, including drying, screening, annealing, and lubricating, and the effects of iron contamination on corrosion resistance.

This chapter discusses the methods by which stainless steel powders are shaped and compacted prior to sintering, including rigid die compaction, metal injection molding, extrusion, and hot isostatic pressing. It explains where each process is used and how processing parameters, such as temperature and pressure, and powder characteristics, such as particle size and shape, influence the quality of manufactured parts. It describes the various stages of metal powder compaction, the role of lubricants, and how to account for dimensional changes in the design of tooling and process sequences.

This chapter describes the most effective ways to improve the corrosion resistance of sintered stainless steels, including increasing alloy content, optimizing the sintering process, and the use of surface treatments and modifications.

This chapter discusses the advantages of using powder metallurgy to produce magnetic materials, particularly its ability to control chemistry and near-net shape. It also explains how process parameters and powder characteristics influence the physical and magnetic properties of common stainless steels.

This atlas contains images showing how sintering conditions (time, temperature, and atmosphere) and compaction pressure affect the microstructure of different types of stainless steel. It also includes images of stainless steel powders, fracture surfaces, and test specimens characterized by the presence of compounds, such as oxides, carbides, and nitrides, and various forms of corrosion.

This appendix provides property data, including strength, tensile properties, elastic constants, and hardness, for 300-series powder metal stainless steels.

This appendix provides property data, including strength, tensile properties, elastic constants, and hardness, for 400-series powder metal stainless steels.

This appendix is a compilation of terms and definitions associated with the processing, microstructure, and properties of powder metal stainless steels.