Characterization of Water Soluble Binders for MIM: Compounding, Debinding, Rheology, Thermal Analysis and Microstructure

Over the last two decades, Metal Injection Molding (MIM) has become a very important part of the metal industry. Most research on MIM concentrate on finding properties related to processing such as rheological properties at high shear, thermal debinding kinetics and the use of water insoluble binders. This work focuses on less commonly subjects such as the relationship between processing and microstructure and the use of water soluble binders. The topics studied include compounding, water debinding, rheology at low shear, and thermal analysis. The determination of water debinding kinetics using continuous flow proves to be the method of choice for separating extra particle from intraparticle mass transfer. Additionally, this book presents rheological tests at low shear and thermal analyses conducive to understanding the microstructure of the feedstocks. The approach presented is useful for professionals involved in the development of in-house MIM feedstocks and those who work with solvent debinding in MIM.