Torque rheology of zircon feedstocks for powder injection moulding Articles uri icon

publication date

  • December 2012

start page

  • 4063

end page

  • 4072

issue

  • 16

volume

  • 32

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0955-2219

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1873-619X

abstract

  • In this work, a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend is used as the binder system in a zirconium silicate mineral powder feedstock for powder injection moulding. These irregular zircon powders make the mixing process and the selection of an optimal solid loading level a difficult task. Torque rheology methodologies combined with other techniques are used for evaluation of the parameters affecting the mixing process and determination of the critical powder volume concentration (CPVC). Temperature variations during the mixing process are monitored and used as an indicator of the friction energy of the system and thus for the optimal solid loading selection. There have thus far been limited amounts of work conducted on torque rheology of highly loaded feedstocks that incorporate a study of the system's temperature evolution. A detailed study could be a key factor for understanding the mixing behaviour of highly loaded feedstocks.

subjects

  • Materials science and engineering

keywords

  • injection moulding; rheology; zircon