PIM of non-conventional particles

The use of particles with shape, mean particle size, particle size distribution and stability traditionally considered inappropriate for powder injection moulding (PIM) requires the use of feedstocks with high quality. A method that leads to an accurate value of critical powder volume concentration (CPVC) was developed. The present study, based on torque rheometry, led to the evaluation of optimal feedstock from selecting a raw material powder with non-conventional characteristics for PIM (lamellar morphology, d50 = 10.5 μm, and 0.1 ≤ d ≤ 174.8 μm). The optimal value of solids loading was calculated as the highest value resulted from the intersections of the adjustment of linear functions of the mixing torque versus powder content curves. The final products of this feedstock presented, after sintering, high density and flexural strength values.