Abstract
This research investigated metal injection moulding of dental pins for orthodontics application. 316L stainless steel powder was selected as an alternative low-cost material in comparison to the more expensive titanium alloy counterpart. The feedstock was prepared at 60% solid loading using an environmentally friendly multi-component binder. Injection moulding was operated using a four-cavity mould. The effects of moulding temperature of 250-280 °C measured at the barrel on mouldability, and specimen properties were studied. After debinding, specimens were sintered at 1250 °C for 2 hours in a hydrogen atmosphere. Experimental results indicated that injection at moulding lower temperature of 250-260 °C gave better mouldability, providing less specimen distortion and demoulding difficulty. The green density was 5.49 g/cm3, giving 93.41% theoretical density. Injection at lower temperature of 250-260 °C also provided higher sintered density and slightly lower volume shrinkage. Sintered microstructure experienced densification with small degree of isolated porosity in specimen center, however with interconnected porosity along specimen edges, responsible for 6.87 g/cm3 sintered density (86.01% theoretical density).
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