Abstract
Selection of desired powder–polymer mixture (feedstock) formulation is a key factor in manufacturing perfect parts via powder injection molding. In the present study, feedstock characteristics of an aluminum-based powder were investigated by torque rheometry and rheological analyses. Several binders containing various amounts of polypropylene (PP), paraffin wax (PW), and stearic acid (SA) were selected for torque mixing and viscosity evaluation. Then, feedstocks consisting of 54, 58, 62, and 66 vol. % solid contents were prepared with modified binder. Feedstock flow behaviors were investigated regarding the rheological parameters such as mixing torque, viscosity, flow behavior index, flow activation energy and moldability index. It was found that increasing solid loading from 54 to 62 vol. % led to improved rheological behavior. This improvement was not observed in high solid contents, i.e., 66 vol. %. Based on experimental results, the optimized binder composition (60PW,35PP,5SA vol. %) and the optimum powder loading (62 vol. %) were selected as the best formulations for injection of aluminum powder. These values are supported by critical powder volume concentration measurements deduced from the oil absorption method. The resulting aluminum molded green parts with no defects exhibited the straightforward injection molding process of selected feedstock.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
