Comparison of the nanoindentation results of two generation of powder metalurgy produced materials for plastic industry

Abstract

This article analyses the properties and nanoindentation characteristics of the stainless PM steels M390 Microclean® and M398 Microcelan®. In a first part, the literature sources on PM steels, stainless steels and thermochemical treatment were studied in order to collect information on the problems that can be found in the thermal or thermochemical treatment of M390 and M398 to improve their mechanical and anticorrosion properties. Optical microscopy of both materials is presented to show the structure and get a more complex picture about them. The main reason for this article – the nanoindentation was performed on the Hysitron Triboindenter TI 950. For both samples, 7 indentation points were selected on the SPM scan – 4 for carbides and 3 for the base matrix. Based on the results, the nanohardness H and the reduced modulus of elasticity Er as well as the reduced modulus of elasticity of the phases ES were determined. The nanohardness H of the matrix corresponds to that of the ferrite, which confirms the material manufacturer's specifications. The nanohardness of the carbides corresponds to the results of the other materials tested by CEDITEK.