High Nickel 316L Stainless Steel Powder 12Ni Grade for MIM Superior Pitting Resistance

Description:
Our 316L stainless steel powder 12Ni grade is a high performance austenitic powder engineered with an elevated nickel content of 12.0% combined with molybdenum (2.0-2.5%) and extra low carbon (≤0.03%). This unique chemistry delivers outstanding pitting and crevice corrosion resistance, exceptional austenite stability, and superior ductility even at cryogenic temperatures. Designed for Metal Injection Molding (MIM), binder jetting additive manufacturing, and precision powder metallurgy, the powder features a tight particle size distribution (D10=3.0μm, D50=8.5μm, D90=20.0μm) ensuring high green density (>5.35 g/cm³), excellent flowability, and a consistent shrinkage ratio of 1.165. After sintering at ~1375°C, it achieves a sintered density of ≥7.85 g/cm³, tensile strength ≥275 MPa, yield strength ≥200 MPa, elongation ≥50%, and hardness >140 HV, meeting the most demanding standards for marine, chemical, and medical applications.

Parameter Table

Categorized Applications & Advantages

1. Metal Injection Molding (MIM)

• 12% nickel significantly stabilizes austenite phase, preventing martensitic transformation during cold working or at low temperatures, ideal for thin walled medical implants and dental instruments

• Molybdenum plus high nickel provides PREN (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) >28, enabling complex MIM parts for seawater exposed valves and chemical sensor housings

• Consistent shrinkage ratio (1.165) and low carbon eliminate sensitization, supporting tight tolerance production of orthopedic shavers, surgical handles, and endoscopic components

2. Additive Manufacturing – Binder Jetting & Powder Bed Fusion

• Narrow particle size distribution (D50=8.5μm) and high flowability ensure uniform powder spreading and high green density for additively manufactured lattice structures and porous medical scaffolds

• 12Ni grade allows post sintering welding, laser remelting, or electropolishing without loss of corrosion resistance, ideal for custom heat exchangers and fluidic manifolds

3. Marine and Offshore Extreme Environments

• Superior resistance to chloride induced pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking makes this powder suitable for subsea connectors, propeller hubs, pump shafts, and offshore platform instrumentation

• Outperforms standard 316L (8-10Ni) and competes with 317L in saline and brackish water service, extending maintenance intervals

4. Cryogenic and Low Temperature Applications

• 12% nickel maintains excellent impact toughness down to -196°C (liquid nitrogen temperature), ideal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) components, cryogenic valve bodies, and superconductor supports

• Elongation ≥50% ensures no brittle fracture under extreme cold conditions, meeting ASTM F138 and NACE MR0175 for sour gas environments

5. Chemical Processing and Pharmaceutical Equipment

• Excellent resistance to mixed acids (acetic, phosphoric, dilute sulfuric) and alkaline solutions supports applications in reactor internals, centrifuge baskets, and pharmaceutical tablet press tooling

• Extra low carbon prevents intergranular attack after welding, suitable for sanitary fittings and high purity water systems

Advantages Overview

• Highest Pitting Resistance in 316L Series: PREN >28 provides safety margin against localized corrosion in aggressive chloride environments

• Cryogenic Toughness Retention: Maintains >50% elongation and high impact strength at -196°C, enabling components for LNG and aerospace cryogenic systems

• Austenite Phase Stability: 12Ni prevents strain induced martensite formation during cold forming or fatigue loading, ensuring non magnetic and consistent mechanical response

• Process Reliability: Consistent melt flow index (4386), debinding rate (7.4%), and shrinkage ratio minimize scrap in automated MIM and binder jetting production lines

• Comprehensive Compliance: Meets ISO 5832-1 (implants), ASTM F138 (surgical stainless steel), NACE MR0175 (sour service), and FDA requirements for food contact applications