Production and Characterization of Recycled SUS 439L Powders by Gas Atomization Process

A Gas atomization process is well known method to produce spherical metallic powders. In this paper, we produced spherical stainless (SUS) 439L powders using the gas atomization process. The SUS 439L alloy powders were prepared with the SUS 439L scraps which come from after mechanical machining (press and cutting) processes. The as-prepared gas atomized powders were observed by visual identification method. Internal microstructure of the powers was observed by optical microscopy. Size and size distribution and shape of the powders were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope and laser partial size analyzer. Phase of the powers was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Full densified samples were produced by conventional sintering and spark plasma sintering processes. Mechanical properties of the sintered samples were measured by Vickers hardness tester.