Effect of Si3N4 addition on the morphological and structural properties of the 316L stainless steel for nuclear applications

Abstract

The effect of the submicrometer-sized Si3N4 addition on the morphological and structural properties of the ceramic dispersion strengthened (CDS) 316L stainless steels prepared by powder technology has been studied. Two composites were prepared: 316L/0.33 wt. % Si3N4 and 316L/1 wt. % Si3N4. In order to assure a good dispersion of the ceramic particles in the stainless steel powders and a grain size reduction at the same time, the high efficient attrition milling has been used. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used for fast compacting of milled composites. Structural and morphological changes were studied after milling and sintering process. It was found that the amount of Si3N4 addition influenced the efficiency of milling process resulting in powder mixtures with different 316L stainless steel grain size and shapes. In the case of 0.33 wt. % Si3N4 addition, the flat 316L stainless steel grains with submicrometer size in thickness have been resulted after milling compared to 1 wt. % Si3N4 added powder mixt...