# Analysis of Selected Spark Plasma Sintering Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Sintered X30Cr13 Steel

## TL;DR

This paper explores how spark plasma sintering affects the mechanical properties of X30Cr13 steel used in surgical instruments.

## Contribution

The study identifies optimal sintering parameters for X30Cr13 steel using spark plasma sintering to enhance mechanical properties.

## Key findings

- Optimal sintering parameters for X30Cr13 steel are 950 °C and 12 minutes.
- SPS reduces manufacturing costs and improves material properties compared to conventional methods.
- Powder preparation and grain size significantly influence the final product's microstructure and hardness.

## Abstract

This paper presents the possibilities of using the reaction sintering method for the production of tool steel used in medicine. The applied method enables the sintering of powders in one technological process. The SPS (spark plasma sintering) process is a technology in which electric pulses generate heat and pressure, which allows for the quick and effective connection of powder particles into a homogeneous material with high density and good mechanical properties. As a result, a product of small dimensions and a precisely defined chemical composition, established at the stage of preparing the powder mixture, is obtained. The advantages of the applied production process are the sintering time and small amounts of post-production waste compared to conventional methods of producing a finished product from steel. The method of producing a semi-finished product is particularly useful in the case of small-scale and small-sized production. The subject of the research was the analysis of the conditions for obtaining X30Cr13 martensitic steel used for the production of surgical instruments. This paper analyzes the effect of sintering temperature and time on sinterability and on selected physical and mechanical properties of the obtained materials. The sintering parameters of the starting mixture have been optimized to obtain the highest possible sinter properties, such as density and hardness. Based on the analysis of the results, it was found that the powder preparation method for the SPS process and the grain size significantly affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of the final product. The optimal sintering parameters for X30Cr13 steel are a temperature of 950 °C and a sintering time of 12 min. Furthermore, the use of the SPS method allows for a reduction in the manufacturing costs of martensitic steel semi-finished products.