Claims
- 1. A process for maximizing the corrosion resistance of a low carbon stainless steel powder compact containing at least about 0.5% silicon and a predetermined amount of tin of at least about 0.01% which comprises, sintering said compact at a temperature not substantially below about 2300.degree. F. at a dew point of at least about -60.degree. F. for a time sufficient for establishing a tin:silicon ratio on the surface of said compact of at least about 1:1, while substantially preserving the microstructure of the powder contained therein, said time being at least 1/2 hour.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein said powder compact further contains copper in an amount up to 3%.
- 3. The process of claim 1 wherein said predetermined amount of tin is between about 0.5 to about 5%.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said powder compact is made from irregularly-shaped powder having a long-to-short ratio of at least about 2:1.
- 5. The process of claim 3 wherein said compact contains about 0.7 to about 1.0% silicon.
- 6. The stainless steel powder compact of claim 1 wherein said powder was atomized in an oxidizing atmosphere and contains about 0.6 to about 1.0% oxygen.
- 7. The sintered stainless steel powder compact of claim 1.
- 8. The sintered stainless steel powder compact of claim 6.
- 9. An irregularly-shaped, low-carbon, corrosion-resistant stainless steel powder atomized in an oxidizing atmosphere containing at least about 0.01% tin, at least about 0.5% silicon, about 0.6-1.0% oxygen, and up to about 3% copper.
- 10. The powder of claim 9 having a long-to-short ratio of at least about 2:1.
- 11. The powder of claim 9 which contains about 0.5 to about 5% tin.
- 12. The powder of claim 11 which contains about 0.7 to about 1.0% silicon.
- 13. A coherent compact of the powder of claim 9 formed under pressure.
Parent Case Info
This is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 010,956 filed on Feb. 9, 1979 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,831.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
4240831 |
Ro |
Dec 1980 |
|
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
52-35708 |
Mar 1977 |
JPX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Powder Metallurgy Equipment Manual 1977 pp. 134, 135 & 138. |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
10956 |
Feb 1979 |
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