Metal powder composite based on 316L stainless steel bimodal powder

Abstract

Metal powder composites for Powder injection molding (PIM) technology have been investigated. 316L stainless steel bimodal powder, obtained by electric explosion of the wire and multicomponent binder comprising PMMA, PE-LD and Viscowax were used to obtain feedstocks. The effect of PMMA content in the binder on the properties of feedstocks and sintered parts has been studied. As the PMMA content increases, the molding temperature of the parts rises from 140 to 200°C, the strength of the “green” and “brow” parts increases as well. The optimal PMMA content in the binder has been found to be 15–20 vol %. “Brown” samples sintered in vacuum at 1300°C exhibit shrinkage up to 23% and the samples density reaches 0.98 TD. Samples of feedstocks were characterized by TEM, SEM, DSC-TG methods.Metal powder composites for Powder injection molding (PIM) technology have been investigated. 316L stainless steel bimodal powder, obtained by electric explosion of the wire and multicomponent binder comprising PMMA, PE-LD and Viscowax were used to obtain feedstocks. The effect of PMMA content in the binder on the properties of feedstocks and sintered parts has been studied. As the PMMA content increases, the molding temperature of the parts rises from 140 to 200°C, the strength of the “green” and “brow” parts increases as well. The optimal PMMA content in the binder has been found to be 15–20 vol %. “Brown” samples sintered in vacuum at 1300°C exhibit shrinkage up to 23% and the samples density reaches 0.98 TD. Samples of feedstocks were characterized by TEM, SEM, DSC-TG methods.