Just aquired several large buckets of powdered 316L stainless.  Looking into a use for it.  I thought canned Damascus would be the obvious choice.  But haven't seen anyone doing this.  Any thoughts?

316 isn't heat treatable.  I've never heard of can welding it.   I guess it would work but since it wouldn't be used for blades I suppose you could go for some psychedelic patterns for fixtures and other decorative items.

Was it for metal spraying? Some sprayers use powdered metals, other use wire. If it is for spraying, sell it, that stuff isn't cheap.

its used as a filter media in high pressure nylon extrusions.  yep...not cheap.   if I had a buyer for it...haha.  the particle size is about like common ground pepper.  oh well, next time make Damascus ill give it a shot.. 

316L is the mild steel of stainless materials, 304 is also a mild steel stainless.  Not enough carbon to be properly hardened into a blade.  That said, it could be used in canned Damascus to produce some interesting patterns.  If something with a higher carbon content were used as the cutting edge and the 316 kept to the spine area you could end up with some great looking cutters

 

Thanks woody, that's the route I was thinking too...

Since this is the knife section I guess that is the intent. I might think about using it for bolsters or guards. seems like a nice place for a pattern and would not need to be hard.

On 2/21/2016 at 2:14 AM, metalmangeler said:

Since this is the knife section I guess that is the intent. I might think about using it for bolsters or guards. seems like a nice place for a pattern and would not need to be hard.

My thoughts as well... Plus, 316L is pretty corrosion resistant, making another plus for use in a bolster or guard.

yes the original intent was aimed to get Damascus knife makers responses, but the final use may be whatever.. thanks for the additional ideas

 

You can use it to make interesting patterns for us sanmai guys to use as jacket material. Using SS jackets in sanmai is on the rise.