Variability of feedstock viscosity and its correlation with dimensional variability of green powder injection moulded components

Abstract

In this study, a correlation between green part dimensional variation and feedstock viscosity variation is presented for the powder injection moulding (PIM) manufacturing process. A correlation of an increase in green part dimensional variation as feedstock viscosity variation increases has been found and the correlation was independent of powder type (316L gas atomised and water atomised) and mixing technique (batch and continuous). The variation of feedstock viscosity was lowest over the greatest temperature range for high shear continuous compounding with a broad distribution of irregularly shaped powder. Thus, this feedstock material would have the greatest process window for injection moulding with the least variation.     

Integrated filling,packing and cooling CAE analysis of powder injection moulding parts

Abstract

A coupled numerical analysis of the filling, packing and cooling stages of powder injection moulding (PIM) has been implemented. Finite element method/finite difference method methodologies were used in the filling and packing stages while Boundary Element Method (BEM) was used for the cooling stage. Using these methodologies, a numerical simulation program for the injection moulding process of PIM parts, PIMSolver was developed by taking into account the peculiar rheological behaviour of powder–binder mixtures. Specifically, the apparent slip phenomena at the mould wall and the yield stress were incorporated into the above analysis. The coupled analysis among the filling, packing and cooling stages was performed because the viscosity and slip phenomena of powder–binder mixture highly depend on temperature. In order to evaluate the significance of the coupled analysis and slip phenomena, several PIM experiments were performed using 316L stainless steel powders dispersed in a paraffin wax–polypropylene binder system. Using the examples of a U-shaped test specimen and an electronic package part, the importance of coupled numerical analysis for PIM parts and the significance of slip dependency of temperature during the coupled analysis were demonstrated.     

Process simulation of powder injection moulding: identification of significant parameters during mould filling phase

Abstract

Simulating and optimising the powder injection process are complex problems since a number of linked material, geometry and process variables have to be considered. In addition, it is very difficult to identify critical parameters for designing binder systems, feedstocks, parts, moulds and processing conditions owing to the fact that multiple objective functions have to be considered. Towards the goal of identifying the level of significance of various material, process and geometry parameters during powder injection moulding, a systematic procedure for sensitivity analysis has been successfully developed for the mould filling phase of the PIM process. In this sensitivity analysis, all input parameters were defined for the mould filling simulation and all output parameters for optimum design of part, mould and processing conditions and dimensionless sensitivity values for all input and output parameters were calculated, which allow parameters with different units to be compared quantitatively. The sensitivity analysis procedure developed will be an invaluable tool for both the design engineer in the PIM industry who has to determine the critical input parameters for given design targets, as well as for the production engineer who has to optimise and monitor the production stage.     

Characterisation of 316L powder injection moulding feedstock for purpose of numerical simulation of PIM process

Abstract

Viscosity, specific heat and thermal conductivity of the standard feedstock of 316L stainless steel have been measured under the typical conditions of a real powder injection moulding (PIM) process. The viscosity was measured in a wide range of shear rates at four different temperatures. The experimental viscosity data were fitted into the Carreau-Yasuda model. Both specific heat and thermal conductivity were measured in the temperature range that overlaps the recommended processing range for the studied feedstock. It has been shown that at high cooling rates the transition temperature of the binder material is shifted towards lower temperatures. Tabulated values of thermal conductivity and specific heat for the studied feedstock are presented. The obtained data can be used for numerical simulation of the powder injection moulding process.     

Mechanical alloying of FeAl intermetallic powder for metal injection moulding process

Abstract

The Fe–48 at.-%Al powder used for powder injection moulding (PIM) was prepared by mechanical alloying in a high energy planetary ball mill and subsequent vacuum annealing. The effects of stearic acid (SA) as the process control agent on powder characteristics were investigated using X-ray diffractometer, laser particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The dependence of solvent debinding efficiency of PIM feedstock on the powder characteristics was also studied. The results indicate that a low SA content for ball milling helps to prepare near spherical, coarse powder particles that exhibit good solvent debinding efficiency. On the contrary, a high SA content leads to thin layered, small particles with poor PIM solvent debinding efficiency. An intermediate SA content such as 1 wt-% makes the ball milled powder combine the advantageous characteristics for PIM process.     

PowderMet2009: prospects improving after automotive debacle

Abstract

A homogeneous powder and binder distribution in the green body in powder injection moulding (PIM) is important. In the present study, the mould filling model of PIM has been developed, based on the multiphase fluid theory, viscosity model of feedstock and powder-binder drag force model. The particle Reynolds number is influenced by the particle size and density, resulting in the different drag force between powder and binder. Furthermore, the varied velocity of binder and powder will be obtained with numerical calculation of the continuity equations, leading to the change of green body homogeneity. CFX was used to simulate the mould filling in PIM. The results showed that the homogeneity of green bodies was relative to the filling patterns, which varied with different powder densities. The powders were not suitable for PIM when the particle size was bigger than 20 μm, and the fine powders were beneficial to improve the homogeneity.     

Optimisation of process conditions in powder injection moulding of microsystem components using robust design method Part 2 – Secondary design parameters

Abstract

Powder injection moulding (PIM) is a proper fabrication method for microsystem technology components. This paper studies the process control of PIM to create thin walled, high aspect ratio geometries, which can be easily found in microtechnology based electro chemical, mechanical and biological systems (MECS). The powder used in this study is gas atomised 316L stainless steel with a median particle size of 10 μm. The effects of reducing the thickness of high aspect ratio geometries on the secondary design parameters including the maximum wall shear stress, cooling time and standard deviations of the melt front velocity and areas are studied. The study shows process parameters including fill time, feedstock injection temperature, mould wall temperature and switchover position can be optimised using the Taguchi robust design method.     

Hot micro-embossing: effect of pressure on 316L metal parts

Abstract

The use of replicative processes has become strategic and critical in industry to produce precise, microscopically detailed metallic parts and devices via low cost manufacturing routes. Metal powder hot embossing is an emerging process that brings some advantages associated with the reduction of production costs relative to powder injection moulding (PIM). The technology involves four distinct steps: preparation of the selected feedstock material (powder and binder); hot embossing; debinding; and sintering. The effect of continuous pressure during the hot embossing step as a means of replicating microdetails in 316L stainless steel parts is examined. Dimensional accuracy, microstructure and mechanical properties of the parts produced were evaluated. For the configuration tested, the most promising results were achieved when processing at 180°C for 30 min at a pressure of 14 MPa.     

Influence of sintering conditions on tensile and high cycle fatigue behaviour of powder injection moulded Ti–6Al–4V at ambient and elevated temperatures

Abstract

Tensile and high cycle fatigue properties of Ti–6Al–4V samples fabricated by powder injection moulding (PIM) are examined at room temperature and elevated temperatures. Standard wrought Ti–6Al–4V material is used for comparison. The tensile and the fatigue strength of samples fabricated by powder injection moulding are found to be significantly lower than conventional wrought material. On the other hand, strength and ductility of metal injection moulded (MIM) samples are high enough to be of large practical interest, in particular if the low processing costs for intricate shapes are taken into account. The inferior properties of the MIM material are caused by considerable remaining porosity, enlarged grain size and increased interstitial content. Prolonged sintering times lead to improved density and strength. At the same time, the room temperature ductility is observed to drop to very low levels, presumably because of additional grain growth.     

Properties of Anisotropic Nd(Fe,Co)B Type Sintered Magnets Produced by Powder Injection Moulding

Abstract

Anisotropic Nd(Fe,Co)B type sintered permanent magnets were fabricated by powder injection moulding (PIM) using paraffin wax as a binder. A conventional process was also used in order to compare the resultant properties with those of sintered magnets produced by PIM. Magnetic properties, microstructure, and constituents were investigated by dc fluxmeter, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis, and ir absorption analysis. Effects of particle alignment of the sintered magnets on the magnetic properties and anisometric linear shrinkage ratios were studied. Particle alignment of sintered magnets produced by PIM was 4% lower than that of the conventional process. The PIM sintered magnet exhibited a maximum energy product of 232 kJ m^?3. The residual carbon after debinding affected the magnetic properties and sintering characteristics by contaminating the liquid phase during PIM sintering. PM/0782     

Optimisation of eco-friendly binary binder system for powder injection moulding

Abstract

In recent years, many efforts have been made to obtain more environmentally acceptable powder injection moulding processes. In this sense, the purpose of this study is to optimise an eco-binder based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a water soluble component and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) as a natural backbone polymer derived from cellulose for powder injection moulding of zirconium silicate powders until a solvent debinding stage. Four different feedstocks have been investigated. As well as, a volume fraction of PEG and CAB 70/30 (vol.-%) and a solid loading of 57·5 (vol.-%) were maintained, molecular weights of polymers were combined in order to minimize distortion during binder solvent extraction. Water solvent debinding was carried out at three temperatures stepwise during 5 h. As a result, efficient removal of the PEG as well as free defects samples were obtained after solvent debinding for binder systems based on low molecular weight of PEG.     

Size does matter!: The mass of information collected by US researchers has enabled the development of an economic simulation model for powder injection moulding…

There are around 150 variables in powder injection moulding (PIM) production so developing an economic model to help the designer understand PIM production costs will provide a great boost to PIM producers in making informed decisions on the viability, or otherwise, of targeted components.     

Influence of injection moulding and sintering parameters on properties of 316L MIM compact

Abstract

This study elucidates the effects of key injection moulding and sintering factors on the dimensions and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel metal injection moulded compact. Sintered parts of optimal quality can be produced by properly setting the process parameters. Taguchi method and principal component analysis are performed initially to elucidate and optimise the key control factors that affect the qualities of metal injection moulded compact. Next, a feasible process window is tested by observing the powder and binder distribution of green parts, for various control factors of injection moulding. Experimental findings show that, first, a proper injection speed facilitates mould filling during injection moulding and so improving the quality of sintered parts; second, temperature critically determines the rate of dimensional shrinkage, density and hardness of sintered parts; Third, optimal parameters setting can efficiently improve the quality of 316L metal injection moulded compact.     

Technology Updates

Abstract

Technologies capable of enhancing the economic processing of advanced materials for lightweight vehicles applications are of interest to a variety of groups, including the US Government. During a project supported by the US Department of the Army, Lone Peak Engineering has demonstrated the potential of uniting the power of advanced materials based powder injection moulding (PIM) with computer aided design (CAD) flow modelling software to structure an approach that meets lightweight component production requirements.     

Modelling of transient temperature fields during filling stage of powder injection moulding

Abstract

Numerical simulation of the powder injection moulding of the stainless steel feedstock was performed using finite elements/finite differences method. Influence of the process parameters on the temperature development in the moulded part was estimated. Frictional heating between the layers of the feedstock with different viscosity may cause the temperature rise to a level dangerous for the integrity of the feedstock. Both process conditions and position of the gate affect the temperature distribution within the part. The temperature homogeneity can be improved by optimisation of the mould design and process conditions.     

粉末注射成形(PIM)技术的产业化与生产管理

本文综述了PIM技术在工业化生产中的技术特点,比较全面地讨论了从新建一家PIM公司到公司成功运作、产品的成功报价,以及主要的产品市场和企业顺利发展需要的注意事项等企业家和投资人关心的问题,目的是为他们进行投资决策和正确选择产品提供指导性帮助。     

A $2 billion business?

The global powder injection moulding (PIM) market was estimated at more than $700 million in 2000. With growth rates of 10-25 per cent per year this figure should comfortably exceed $1 billion by 2003. PIM is forecast to be a $2 billion industry by 2008 says Bernard Williams…     

Netshaping concepts for tungsten alloys and composites

Abstract

The conventional powder metallurgy (PM) approach of compaction and sintering has been used extensively in the fabrication of tungsten alloys and composite hardmetals based on WC-Co. In fact, these are some of the earliest known materials to have been fabricated by the PM route. The last 15-20 years have seen the emergence of a new shaping technique of powder injection moulding (PIM) which can shape such tungsten metal alloys and composites into complex near net shaped components. The PIM process starts with the mixing of an organic binder with the desired powders in the form of a homogeneous mixture, known as a feedstock. The feedstock, like plastics, can be moulded into near net shapes from which the organic part is removed and then the material can be sintered to almost theoretical density. This produces complex, near net shaped parts that have properties that are comparable to that of the press and sintered materials. This paper will provide a brief overview of the use of PIM in tungsten based alloys and composites and discuss some of the applications of these materials.     

Comparison of mechanical properties of Fe-1.75Ni-0.5Mo-1.5Cu-0.4C steels made from PIM and press and sinter processes

Abstract

Powder injection moulding (PIM) is a relatively new process and only a few alloy standards have been recognised. To further promote the application of this technology, new alloys with competitive mechanical properties need to be developed. Fe-1.75Ni-0.5Mo1.5Cu-xC is one of the compositions widely used in the conventional powder metallurgy industry in making press and sinter parts. To benefit from the excellent mechanical properties and the accumulated knowledge of this alloy system, the same composition was employed in this study to make powder injection moulded compacts with the expectation that evenbetter mechanical properties would be attained. The results obtained on the compacts sintered at 1200°C for 1h showed a tensile strength, hardness, and elongation of 685MPa, 91 HRB, and 7 5% respectively. With heat treatment, the tensile strength and hardness increased to 1530MPa and 52 HRC, respectively. However, the elongation decreased to less than 1 0%. These properties are better than those of the press and sinter counterparts owing to higher sintered density, finer grain size, and more homogeneous microstructure.