Metal powder hot embossing (MPHE) is a low-cost micromanufacturing technique that can produce metallic parts with aspects in micron scale. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is employed for evaluating the shape retention and the homogeneity of microstructure of replicated geometries into AISI 316L powder feedstock by the secondary electron imaging (SEI) and the backscattered electron imaging modes, the distribution of chemical composition by the electron-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping, and grain structures by the electron backscatter diffraction technique. Moreover, the SEI and EDS techniques completed the failure analysis of tensile tests. Nanoindentations were also performed to assist phase identification analysis in the densified microstructure. Different geometries in the micron scale (micro wall half-reservoirs, micro channel half-flanges, convex and concave micro gear configurations, and micro tensile specimens) were selected for replication. Shaping limitations were attributed to the geometry, convex or concave, and the stiffness of the die. Micro gear and micro wall configurations were shaped using a stiffer elastomer (T = 230 °C and P = 11.3 to 14 MPa for 45 min) and a metallic die (T = 170 °C and P = 11.3 MPa for 10 min), respectively. The shaping of concave geometries was achieved regardless of the metal powder concentration, 60 and 65 vol.%. Densified parts retained the replicated micro configurations after long periods of thermal debinding and sintering, with densification above 95%. The chemical composition in sintered parts was homogeneous. The microstructure was principally composed of austenitic grains. The 316L stainless steel sintered part produced through MPHE presented an ultimate tensile strength of 458 ± 15 MPa, similar to that of a wrought AISI 316L alloy; the fracture type in the micro tensile specimen was ductile.

金属粉末热压花（MPHE）是一种低成本的微制造技术，可以生产出微米级尺寸的金属零件。在这项研究中，采用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）通过二次电子成像（SEI）和反向散射电子成像模式评估复制到AISI 316L粉末原料中的几何形状的形状保持性和微观结构的均匀性，以及反向散射电子成像模式，化学成分的分布通过电子分散光谱（EDS）映射，以及通过电子背散射衍射技术获得的晶粒结构。此外，SEI和EDS技术完成了拉伸试验的失效分析。还进行了纳米压痕，以协助在致密的微观结构中进行相识别分析。微米尺度上的不同几何形状（微壁半容器，选择微通道半法兰，凹凸微齿轮配置以及微拉伸试样）进行复制。形状限制归因于几何形状（凸形或凹形）以及模具的刚度。微齿轮和微壁配置使用更硬的弹性体（T = 230°C，P = 11.3至14 MPa，持续45分钟）和金属模具（T = 170°C，P = 11.3 MPa，持续10分钟）。无论金属粉末的浓度为60和65 vol。％，都可以实现凹形几何形状的成形。长时间的热脱脂和烧结后，致密化的部件保留了复制的微观结构，致密化率超过95％。烧结零件中的化学成分是均匀的。显微组织主要由奥氏体晶粒组成。通过MPHE生产的316L不锈钢烧结零件的极限抗拉强度为458±15 MPa，类似于锻造的AISI 316L合金。微拉伸试样的断裂类型是延性的。