Evaluation on Mechanical Properties and Functionalities of Anti-bacteria and Resist-corrosion for Cu-added Stainless Steel (SUS304L) by MIM

Abstract

The effect of copper-added content and sintering temperature on the mechanical properties and functionalperformances such as anti-bacteria and resist-corrosion for the stainless steel by metal injection molding wasinvestigated. The specimens were prepared by injection molding the mixed powders of water-atomized SUS304Land Cu with poly-acetyl binder. The green compacts were prepared at five steps of copper-added content fromOmass%Cu to s mass%Cu and they were sintered at the six steps of temperature from 1050 to 1350°C for 7.2ks in Argas after the debinding process at 600°C for 7.2 ks in NZ gas. The relative density and tensile strength of sinteredcompacts showed the minimum values by addition of 5mass%Cu and 8mass%Cu, respectively. They were modifiedup to original value by addition of IOmass%Cu and sintering at 1100°C. The anti-bacterial test based on film contactto bacilli and the quantitative analysis of copper ion dissolved to water showed high effective as increasing thecopper-added content. It was also confirmed from the measurement of pitting potential that copper addition modifiesthe resist-corrosion performance.