Characterization and Rheological Studies on Ready-Made Feedstock of Stainless Steel 316L in Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Process

Abstract:

Current trend for manufacturers associated to MIM industry try to enhance the feedstock in term of its characteristics, since it is the most crucial part of the MIM process. This paper covered the characterization and rheological studies on a ready-made feedstock of stainless steel 316L which is vital to determine the availability and suit the needs of many advanced applications. There are three different experiments involved which are Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Capillary Rheometer. Observation through SEM gives an insight of the bonding microstructure matrices of the feedstock and also determines the homogeneity of the feedstock. DSC testing defines the melting temperature of the 3 binders used which are 62.07°C for surfactant, 178.72°C for filler and 236.61°C for backbone binder. From TGA result, it showed that the total weight loss of feedstock was 39%. Throughout the capillary rheometer testing, the feedstocks viscosity was decreasing as the shear rate increasing. The feedstock exhibits pseudoplastic behaviour since its flow behaviour index was less than 1. It is founded that at the temperature of 190°C, the feedstock exhibits the best characteristics for injection.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 465-466)
• Pages: 709-714
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.465-466.709
• Online since: December 2013
• Authors: Nor Hafiez Mohamad Nor*, Muhammad Hussain Ismail, Nur Atikah Abu Kasim, N. Muhamad, M.A. Taib
• Keywords: Capillary Rheometer, Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Metal Injection Molding (MIM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

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