Powder injection molding of WC–8%Co tungsten cemented carbide

An improved wax-based multi-component binder was developed for powder injection molding of tungsten cemented carbide. A critical powder loading of 65 vol.% and an ideal rheological properties were obtained by the feedstock based on the binder. An ideal control of carbon content was achieved by thermal debinding in 75 vol.%N₂/25 vol.%H₂ atmosphere, which balanced the decarbonization effect of H₂ and the carburation effect of N₂. Solvent debinding followed by subsequent thermal debinding could substantially increase the debinding rate, and it is more flexible and adjustable to debinding atmosphere. The transverse rupture strength, hardness and density of the as-sintered specimens made by an optimized powder injection molding process were 2500 MPa, HRA90 and 14.72 g cm⁻³ respectively. Good shape retention and ±0.02 mm dimension deviation were achieved.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of nano/micro bimodal feedstock with different solids loading

Debinding is one of the most critical processes for powder injection molding. The parts in debinding process are vulnerable to defect formation, and long processing time of debinding decreases production rate of whole process. In order to determine the optimal condition for debinding process, decomposition behavior of feedstock should be understood. Since nano powder affects the decomposition behavior of feedstock, nano powder effect needs to be investigated for nano/micro bimodal feedstock. In this research, nano powder effect on decomposition behavior of nano/micro bimodal feedstock has been studied. Bimodal powders were fabricated with different ratios of nano powder, and the critical solids loading of each powder was measured by torque rheometer. Three different feedstocks were fabricated for each powder depending on solids loading condition. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiment was carried out to analyze the thermal decomposition behavior of the feedstocks, and decomposition activation energy was calculated. The result indicated nano powder showed limited effect on feedstocks in lower solids loading condition than optimal range. Whereas, it highly influenced the decomposition behavior in optimal solids loading condition by causing polymer chain scission with high viscosity.     

Powder injection molding of pure titanium

An improved wax-based binder was developed for powder injection molding of pure titanium. A critical powder loading of 69 vol.% and a pseudo-plastic flow behavior were obtained by the feedstock based on the binder. The injection molding, debinding, and sintering process were studied. An ideal control of carbon and oxygen contents was achieved by thermal debinding in vacuum atmosphere (10-3 Pa). The mechanical properties of as-sintered specimens were less than those of titanium made by the conventional press-sintering process. Good shape retention and ±0.04 mm dimension deviation were achieved.     

表面活性剂添加对超细98W-1Ni-1Fe粉末注射成形喂料流变行为的影响(英文)

研究超细98W-1Ni-1Fe粉末的注射成形。系统研究球磨和硬脂酸(SA)添加对粉末特性以及喂料流变行为的影响。结果表明:球磨和SA添加均有效提高喂料的装载量。SA添加可以避免喂料制备过程中粉末与粘结剂间的表面反应,从而缩短混炼时间。SA添加可以降低喂料的粘度,但这种效果随温度升高而逐渐消失,在125℃以上时变为一种不利的效果。SA添加可以降低注射所需的温度。添加SA的粉末喂料在115℃时具有最低的粘度及剪切敏感性,而未加SA的粉末喂料在135℃时才具有最低的粘度及剪切敏感性。同时,添加SA的粉末喂料相比未添加SA的粉末喂料具有较低的温度敏感性及较佳的综合流变性能,因此,更适合于超细98W-1Ni-1Fe粉末的注射成形。     

粉末注射成形热塑-热固粘结剂的开发研制

介绍了硬质合金粉末注射成形用热塑 -热固性粘结剂RG1- 2、RG2 - 3的开发研制过程。结果表明 :在注射完成之前 ,粘结剂和喂料完全表现为热塑性 ,该粘结剂可直接应用于热塑性注射机。喂料的低温流变性能好 ,粉末临界装载量达到 5 9%。RG1- 2、RG2 - 3注射生坯强度分别达到 5 .8MPa和 7.8MPa ,固化后成形坯强度分别达到 17.6MPa和 19.1MPa。采用该粘结剂及相应的注射成形工艺制备的YG8、YT5硬质合金强度分别达到 2 480MPa和 2 10 0MPa ,硬度分别达到HRA89.7和HRA90 .4,制品最小尺寸偏差达到± 0 .0 2mm ,尺寸精度及保形性优于传统蜡基粘结剂。     

金属注射成形用新型聚乙二醇基粘结剂的研究

研究了一种新型聚乙二醇（PEG）基热塑性粘结剂,它由高密度聚乙烯、聚乙二醇、聚合物W、硬脂酯、邻苯二甲酸和二辛脂和抗氧剂等组成。新型PEG基粘结剂与Fe-2Ni粉具有较强的相互作用,混合均匀性好,且粉末装载量高,喂料注射成形性好。用新型PEG基粘结剂和Fe-2Ni粉所制备的喂料是一种假塑性流体,具有良好的流变性能。新型PEG基粘结剂用乙醇溶剂脱脂,速度快、缺陷少、维形能力强,且可避免环境污染。     

Effects of milling and active surfactants on rheological behavior of powder injection molding feedstock

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Determination of critical and optimal powder loadings for 316L fine stainless steel feedstocks for micro-powder injection molding

Adapted from powder injection molding (PIM), the micro-PIM technology satisfies the increasing demands for functionalization and miniaturization of micro-parts. Research works in this area have been carried out through micro injection molding tests issued from mixtures consisting in 316L stainless steel fine powders with D₅₀ = 3.4 μm and different thermoplastic polymeric binders. The well appropriate polymer–powder formulations are composed with different binders. The binders have been adapted to micro-injection and tested to find out an optimum feedstock. The rheological characterization of the elaborated feedstock has been carried out according to the selected stainless steel powders and polymers. The critical powder volume loading has been determinated and fixed in the range of 68–70%, and the optimal powder volume loading has been chosen around 66% for 316L stainless steel feedstock (D₅₀ = 3.4 μm). This choice has been confirmed by processing of the micro-components with the retained feedstock loaded up to 66%.     

Metal injection molding of W-Cu powders prepared by low energy ball milling

Low energy ball milled W/Cu powders were used for metal injection molding (MIM) in order to overcome the low powder volume fraction of MIM parts after debinding as well as the inherently poor sinterability of the W-Cu powder compacts. Ball milling was carried out using commercial fine W and Cu powders to form a powder mixture suitable for injection molding. W powders showed no change in either size or shape during the milling process, but the ductile Cu powders were easily deformed to a three-dimensional equiaxed shape, having a particle size comparable to that of W powders. This modification of powder characteristics by ball milling resulted in an improvement of the solid loading of roughly 58%, maintaining a high and uniform powder packing density in the feedstock. The densification behavior of W-Cu MIM parts is also discussed on the basis of the relationship between Cu composition and W particle size.     

A new starch-based binder for metal injection molding

A composition of starch and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) was prepared as the binder and a mixture of this binder with 316L stainless steel powder was used to achieve a feedstock with 57% vol. powder loading. Rheological specifications of the binder and the feedstock were observed by means of capillary rheometery. Pseudo-plastic behavior of the binder and feedstock was investigated as a necessity in metal injection molding (MIM) process by proper flow characterization tests and their viscosity as the most significant flow characteristic was obtained in acceptable ranges. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was carried out on feedstock in order to understand decomposition behavior of the binder components. In the next step, injection molding of the components was successfully conducted. Mechanical properties of compacts were then investigated through the triple point flexure test and the results showed that mechanical strength of specimens are very close to established ranges. The density of green parts was measured to assess the compaction of feedstock and it was achieved within the expected range for ferrous-based feedstocks. Debinding process was accomplished on compacted articles at three different temperature ranges including 70, 80 and 90 °C. Sintering process also was successfully accomplished on samples. For observing microstructures, the surface and cross section of specimens were compared before and after debinding as well as after sintering using scanning electron macrograph (SEM). Generally, this newly developed binder demonstrated a good potential for being utilized in MIM process.     

Performance of powder-injection-molded W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe components

A 93 wt% W heavy alloy was injection molded into standard tensile test specimens and kinetic energy penetrators. Due to the relatively high activation energy of flow (124 kJ/mol), the rheological behavior of the molten feedstock was very susceptible to temperature variation. Using die sets with constant-volume die cavities, the tensile test specimens could be formed within a wide working window, whereas the penetrator could not be molded without defects because of different jetting phenomena during molding. The penetrator could be molded successfully using a die set whose die cavity progressively expanded during molding. The parts thus formed could subsequently be processed into intact components with full density and low carbon contents (<100 ppm). Their mechanical properties were comparable to or better than those of conventionally processed tungsten heavy alloys. Additional penetration test results indicated that powder injection molding was a viable route for processing high-performance tungsten heavy alloys.     

Rheological properties of metal injection molding feedstock

Viscosity of a polyethylene glycol-polymethyl methacrylate (PEG-PMMA) binder and PEG-PMMA/Fe-2Ni feedstock in powder injection molding was measured and calculated. A logarithmic additivity between viscosity of the binder and that of its constituents was found. Other factors, such as temperature, powder loads, content and type of surface-active agents and those of polymers, in relation to rheological properties of feedstock were discussed as well. The results showed that with increasing viscosity of surface-active agent, polymer melt index or temperature, the feedstock viscosity decreased while higher polymer content and powder loading would lead to additional feedstock viscosity. The relationship mentioned above is expressed and effectively explained why the change rate of feedstock viscosity will slow down with the increase of shear rate.     

YT5硬质合金注射成形

开发了一种适合于硬质合金注射成形的“改进型蜡基粘结剂”和一种称作“高压冷凝溶剂脱脂”的新的脱脂方法。实验结果表明 :使用该粘结剂 ,硬质合金注射混合料流变性能良好 ,临界固体粉末装载量达到 6 5 %。新的脱脂方法脱脂速率快 ,脱脂坯强度高。采用优化的工艺制备了 PIM YT5硬质合金试样 ,其抗弯强度、硬度和密度分别达到2 10 0 MPa、HRA 90 .4和 12 .83g/cm3 ,制品保形性良好 ,尺寸偏差小于± 0 .0 4m m。     

Relationship between binder contents and mechanical properties of 17-4 ph stainless steel fabricated by PIM process and sintering

Mechanical properties and microstructures of 17-4 ph stainless steel parts produced using different binder contents (powder loading) of powder injection molding (PIM) feedstock have been studied. The tensile and wear properties have been evaluated. Wear tests were conducted by a pin-on-disk tribometer, without lubricant, at different loads and sliding distance. SEM examination of the fracture sufaces revealed good particle bonding and a high ductile fracture surface for high powder loading. The surface fractures of the bars with higher powder loading show a closed porosity. High performance properties such as fully dense, ultimate tensile strength, hardness and wear resistance are obtained with high powder loading.     

INJECTION MOLDED TUNGSTEN HEAVY ALLOY

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A novel binder and binder extraction method for powder injection molding of tungsten cemented carbide

1　INTRODUCTIONPowderinjectionmolding (PIM ) ,whichisde rivedfromplasticinjectionmolding ,isakindofnet shapepowdermetallurgyformingprocess[13] .Com bininghigh partcomplexitywithhigh productionquantities ,itsupplementstheestablishedprocesseslikediecompaction ,machiningandinvestmentcasting[4 6 ] .Comparingtoconventionalpressing/sinteringprocess,thePIMhasgreattechniqueandcostadvantagesforthepro ductionofcementedcarbidecomponentswithcomplexshapes[7,8] .Sincehydraulicpressureisappliedduringi…     

Development of non-eroding rocket nozzle throat for ultra-high temperature environment

The powder processing methods including powder metallurgy (P/M) and powder injection molding (PIM) techniques for tungsten (W)–rhenium (Re) were employed to produce a W–Re rocket nozzle. The composition of W–Re was determined by 25 wt.% of Re to avoid the formatting brittle sigma (σ) phase. The samples for analysis of the densification behavior on sintering were prepared by die pressing and cold isostatic pressing (CIP). The feedstock for the PIM process was produced by mixing the W–25 wt.% Re powder and binder system based on a wax-polymer with an optimum solid loading through the twin-extruder mixer. The injection molded specimens were debound to extract and decompose the binders via the solvent and thermal debindings. The debound samples were sintered in a hydrogen atmosphere. After sintering, hot isostatic pressing (HIP) was carried out in an argon atmosphere to enhance the density.The dilatometry experiments were performed to analyze and predict a densification behavior during sintering. The master sintering curve (MSC) model was used to characterize the densification behavior with a minimal set of preliminary experiments. The mechanical properties were evaluated through microstructure and chemical composition measured by EDX–SEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD).Finally, the eroding test was conducted using the W–25 wt.% Re rocket nozzle produced by PIM under the high temperature. After carrying out erosion tests, the erosion rate, hardness and microstructure were evaluated.     

Micropatterns of W-Cu composites fabricated by metal powder injection molding

The metal powder injection molding (MIM) process has been applied to fabricate micropatterns of W-Cu composites. A 150μm×150μm×300 μm column array patterned lost plastic mold was used as the mold insert. Several parameters were examined to overcome limitations of lost plastic molding such as low plastic strength, unvented blind hole structure and parting line. Molding temperature was a more dominant factor than molding pressure for the complete filling of feedstock into the micro patterns. The intrinsic defects originating from the lost plastic mold could be eliminated by the re-injection molding of the disc-shaped green part in a vacuum. The final micropatterns of W-Cu composite were fabricated by sintering at 1100°C and 1300°C for 1 h.     

金属注射成形17-4PH不锈钢脱脂保形性研究

研究了粘结剂配方，粉末装载量，喂料热力学性质，注射成形工艺等多个因素对金属注射成形17-PH不锈钢脱脂保形性的影响。结果表明具有较高热分解温度，较低熔解热的HDPE作为第2组元的蜡基粘结剂，具有比采用EVA为第2组元的粘结剂更好的保形性能。试样变形率随着粉末装载量，注射压力，注射温度的增加而下降，而且存在一最佳的工艺条件，包括粉末装载量，注射压力，注射温度，此时试样最不容易变形，试样变形比例最小。     

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Injection Molding of Ti-6Al-4V Powders for High-Performance Titanium Parts

Both experimental and numerical analysis of powder injection molding (PIM) of Ti-6Al-4V alloy were performed to prepare a defect-free high-performance Ti-6Al-4V part with low carbon/oxygen contents. The prepared feedstock was characterized with specific experiments to identify its viscosity, pressure–volume–temperature and thermal properties to simulate its injection molding process. A finite-element-based numerical scheme was employed to simulate the thermomechanical process during the injection molding. In addition, the injection molding, debinding, sintering and hot isostatic pressing processes were performed in sequence to prepare the PIMed parts. With optimized processing conditions, the PIMed Ti-6Al-4V part exhibits excellent physical and mechanical properties, showing a final density of 99.8%, tensile strength of 973 MPa and elongation of 16%.