Stainless steel powder FAQ

The current range highlights 17-4PH, 17-4+3Cu, 440C and 439 powders, covering precipitation-hardening, martensitic and ferritic stainless steels. Other alloy options can be evaluated against the target composition, properties, process and volume.

17-4PH suits structural parts that need a balance of strength, corrosion resistance and heat-treatment response. 440C places greater emphasis on high hardness, wear resistance and edge retention. The final choice should also consider load, corrosive environment, heat treatment and required service life.

439 is a ferritic stainless steel option for industrial parts that need a balance of corrosion resistance, thermal-cycling behavior, magnetic properties and material cost. Suitability depends on temperature, process medium, load and manufacturing route.

Send the target grade, particle-size requirement, part application, manufacturing process and estimated volume so Tongcheng can evaluate the material and manufacturing approach. The standard product data currently published on the website focus on 17-4PH, 17-4+3Cu, 440C and 439.

D10, D50 and D90 are the particle sizes at which the cumulative particle size distribution reaches 10%, 50% and 90%, respectively. In laser particle size reports based on a volume distribution, these percentages refer to the total particle volume, not the number of particles; D50 is the volume median particle size. Confirm the distribution basis and test method when comparing data.

No. Finer powder can improve feature filling and sintering activity, but it can also increase agglomeration and make flow, feedstock preparation and debinding harder to control. The right particle size depends on the equipment, binder system, part geometry and sintering window.

No. MIM places greater emphasis on feedstock rheology, mold filling, debinding and sintering shrinkage. Press-and-sinter processing also depends heavily on die filling, apparent density, compressibility and green-compact condition. Evaluate the two routes separately.

Yes. Using the current powder data, equipment conditions, part geometry and the problem to be improved, Tongcheng can evaluate the cut range, distribution width, coarse tail and fine-particle fraction.

Yes. A custom project usually starts with a reference material, target composition, service environment and property priorities. Manufacturability is then evaluated across melting, atomization, particle size, sintering and heat treatment.

Provide the current or target grade, complete particle-size data, MIM or press-and-sinter route, part drawing or photos, current issue, target properties, estimated volume and project schedule.

The engineering review links powder data to the customer’s feedstock or compaction, forming, debinding, sintering, heat treatment and finished-part results. This helps determine whether the material, particle-size distribution or manufacturing process should be adjusted.

Link the production lot number, packaging label and powder test data to the customer’s process conditions and part results to trace the source of variation, then maintain communication around the critical control items.

Provide the target grade or reference material, particle-size range, manufacturing process, part application, purchase quantity, packaging requirements, destination country or port, and required delivery date.

Minimum order quantity and lead time vary with the grade, particle size, customization scope, volume and production schedule. The commercial team will confirm both in the quotation after reviewing the complete requirements.

Yes. Powder packaging, lot identification, shipping information and export requirements can be agreed for the project. The packaging format, Incoterms and transport arrangements depend on the destination and customer requirements.

Contact Cai Jibin by phone or WhatsApp at +86 138 2764 3424, or email lantianyewu@163.com. You can also enter the project details in the technical inquiry or quotation form, then open WhatsApp to send the prepared message.