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This study compares the effect of heating mode on the densification, microstructure, strength and hardness of austenitic and ferritic stainless steel. The compacts were sintered in a radiatively heated (conventional) and a 2.45GHz microwave furnace. Both 316L and 434L compacts couple with microwaves and heat up to the sintering temperature rapidly (∼45°C/min). The overall processing time was reduced by about 90% through microwave sintering. While the microwave sintered compacts exhibit a finer microstructure, there is no corresponding improvement in densification and mechanical properties. This has been correlated with elongated and irregular pore structure.