Effect of MnS powder addition and sintering temperature on the corrosion resistance of sintered 303LSC stainless steels

As the sintered parts are to be machined after sintering the MnS powder is usually added to improve the machinability. Effect of the MnS powder content on the corrosion resistance of the sintered 303LSC alloys was investigated. Experimental results show that the addition of MnS powder decreases the green density of the 303LSC compacts. The sintered density of the admixed powder compacts slightly increase with increasing MnS content. The weight loss rate of the sintered specimens being immersed in the 10% FeCl3 corrosion test solution increases with increasing MnS content. The corrosion resistance is improved with increasing sintering temperature. The metallographic evolution of the corroded surface was studied. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.