Efeito da adição de boro na microestrutura, dureza, resistência à oxidação e ao desgaste do aço inoxidável austenítico 316L sinterizado.

Abstract

This work analyses boron additions to AISI 316L austenitic stainless steels, as a sintering additive in the powder metallurgy process. The effect of boron addition was investigated in terms of densification, microstructure, hardness, oxidation resistance and wear behavior. Samples were prepared with 0.6 wt.% and 0.8 wt.% of boron, pressed to 800 MPa and sintered under argon atmosphere. Sintering cycle involved heating up to the sintering temperature of 1240°C, at a rate of 10°C.min-1, holding at this peak temperature for 30 min. Microstructure of the sintered bodies was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), using Rietveld refinement. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to study the behavior of both the free and boron-containing 316L samples at solid and liquid states. The Vickers hardness of sintered samples was assessed. Microhardness was evaluated using instrumented indentation. The oxide chemical composition of 316L without and containing boron samples, after cyclic oxidation at 800°C, 900°C and 100°C, was determined by EDS and XRD. The friction coefficients and specific wear coefficient of sintered samples were determined by reciprocating sliding and the wear mechanisms by FESEM and EDS. Boron addition to AISI 316L steel resulted in an eutectic reaction between the austenitic matrix and boron. EDS and XRD results revealed the formation of (Fe,Cr)2B and (Cr,Mo)2B borides, from eutectic reaction, which were concentrated mainly in intergranular sites. The formation of M2B borides favored material densification through the development of a liquid phase during sintering, and promoted an increase in hardness, oxidation and wear resistance of AISI 316L steel.