A new lubricant based binder system for feedstock formulation from HDH-Ti powder

• Preparation of homogeneous hydride–dehydride (HDH) Ti-MIM feedstocks using solvent mixing.
• Binder development for producing higher solids loading for irregular HDH-Ti powder feedstocks.
• Rheological properties were evaluated.
• Comparison with already developed binder system.

This study reported the preparation of homogeneous hydride–dehydride (HDH) titanium metal injection moulding (Ti-MIM) feedstocks using solvent mixing. The research emphasis was on the development of a binder system for producing higher solid loadings for the irregular HDH titanium powder feedstocks. Homogeneous mixing and solid loading are the factors that strongly influence the final product properties. Solvent mixing provides an excellent alternative to the commonly used hot mixing and emulsion mixing. Due to its natural irregular shape of HDH-Ti powder, the feedstock, which is injection mouldable, usually has a lower solid loading than that of spherical powder. In this study, Ti-MIM feedstocks were prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the primary binder component, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the backbone component and a new lubricant. The binder and metal powders were mixed in acetone and then vacuum dried. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis, rheometry tests and torque measurements were performed subsequently.

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