Experimental and Theoretical Methods for Optimal Solids Loading Calculation in MIM Feedstocks Fabricated from Powders with Different Particle Characteristics Articles uri icon

publication date

  • March 2010

start page

  • 34

end page

  • 40

issue

  • 1

volume

  • 53

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0032-5899

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1743-2901

abstract

  • The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of the particle characteristics of powder to the mixing stage of the powder injection moulding process to identify the best procedure with which to evaluate
    the optimal solids loading for feedstock fabrication. To perform the
    present study, powder blends that are made from three bronze and four
    Inconel 718 powders, with different particle size distributions and
    morphologies, are mixed with a binder system that is based on
    polyethylene and wax. Powder&-binder blends are prepared by varying the
    powder content to study how the powder characteristics affect the
    optimal solids loading. In addition, a new method is presented for
    determining the optimal solids loading in powder injection moulding
    feedstocks through the activation energy calculation of powder&-binder
    blends that are prepared with different powder contents. This novel
    method is compared with the optimal loading values that have been
    determined by other ways as torque rheometry, determination of the
    tap-real density ratio and through rheological models.