Sintering Parameter Optimization of Ti-6Al-4V Metal Injection Molding for Highest Strength Using Palm Stearin Binder

This paper presents an optimization of sintering parameters for the best sintered strength of Ti-6Al-4 V powder mixed with 60wt% of palm stearin binder and 40wt% of polyethylene by metal injection moulding (MIM) technique. The mechanical properties of the sintered part are resulted from tremendous densification of the sample. Sintering parameters have been optimized using Taguchi method of L9 (34) orthogonal array. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the significant levels (α) and its contribution to the variables of the final strength. The study demonstrated that sintering temperature was the most influential variable contributes to the best final strength, followed by heating rate, dwelling time and cooling temperature. Based on these results, samples displayed yield strength of 934.3 MPa, and a plastic elongation of more than 10% were produced. These values meet the requirements of the ASTM B348-02 for titanium alloy medical grade.