Thermo-physical characterization of binder and feedstock for single and multiphase flow of PIM 316L feedstock

A thorough knowledge of the material properties of the feedstock and binder system is essential for successful powder injection moulding (PIM) as well as for numerical simulation. In view of the above, characterization of a developed binder system and feedstock has been reported in this paper for processing of 316L stainless steel powder through PIM route. The binder system consists of paraffin wax, stearic acid and low-density polyethylene. The feedstock comprises of 316L stainless steel powder and the above binder system. The thermal, physical and rheological characteristics of the binder system and feedstock have been investigated separately along with binder removal technique from the injection-moulded green compact. The thermal characterization revealed the semi-crystalline nature having distinct melting and solidification range for both the binder and feedstock. Data from DSC and TGA show that injection of the feedstock should be carried out above 102 °C (i.e. the upper melting temperature) but below 154 °C as beyond which the binder components paraffin wax and stearic acid start degrading and mould temperature should be below 57 °C. The binder and feedstock are found as shear-thinning fluid as viscosity decreases with the increase in shear strain rate and temperature. However, the viscosity of the binder is more sensitive to shear strain rate and temperature compared to that of the feedstock.