• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.207-208
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• 2006

In this experimental work, the development of a multicomponent binder system based on high density polyethylene (HDPE) and paraffin wax for Powder Injection Molding of Alumina $(Al_2O_3)$ parts was carried out. The optimum composition of the injection mixture was established through mixing torque measurements and a rheological study. The maximum powder loading was 58 vol%. The miscibility of organic components and the optimum injection temperature was evaluated by thermal characterization of binder and feedstock. The thermal debinding cycle was developed on the basis of thermogravimetrical analysis of the binder. After sintering the densities achieved were closed to 98% of the theoretical one.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.45-46
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• 2006

In recent years, micro powder injection molding $(\mu-PIM)$ is being explored as an economical fabrication method for microcomponents in microsystems technology (MST). Technical and economic comparison was performed for $\mu-PIM$ processes. Molding experiment and simulation during the filling process were performed to evaluate several different geometries and processing conditions. The influence of material parameters and process conditions on mold filling were examined as a function of features size using microchannels as an example. It was found that the heat conductivity and viscosity of feedstock, geometry and mold temperature were the most critical parameters for complete filling of micro features.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2023

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are attracting attention because of their excellent properties and functions; however, they are relatively expensive compared with commercial alloys. Therefore, various efforts have been made to reduce the cost of raw materials. In this study, MIM is attempted using coarse equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi HEA powders. The mixing ratio (powder:binder) for HEA feedstock preparation is explored using torque rheometer. The block-shaped green parts are fabricated through a metal injection molding process using feedstock. The thermal debinding conditions are explored by thermogravimetric analysis, and solvent and thermal debinding are performed. It is densified under various sintering conditions considering the melting point of the HEA. The final product, which contains a small amount of non-FCC phase, is manufactured at a sintering temperature of 1250℃.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.49-50
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• 2006

[ $Ti(Al,\;O)-Al_2O_3$ ] composite powders were produced by high energy mechanical milling of a mixture of Al and $TiO_2$ powders followed by a combustion reaction. The powders were subsequently thermally sprayed on H13 steel substrates. Microstructural examination was conducted on the composite powders and thermally sprayed coatings, using X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performance of the coatings was evaluated in terms of micro-hardness and thermal fatigue. The thermally sprayed coatings performed very well in the preliminary thermal fatigue tests and showed no wetting tendency to molten aluminum.

• Proceedings of the Korean Powder Metallurgy Institute Conference
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• 2006.09a
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• pp.36-37
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• 2006

This study aims to investigate the usage of nano-scale particles in a micro metal injection molding ($\mu$-MIM) process. Nanoscale particle is effective to improve transcription and surface roughness in small structure. Moreover, the effects of hybrid micro/nano particles, Cu/Cu and SUS/Cu were investigated. Small dumbbell specimens were produced using various feedstocks prepared by changing binder content and fraction of nano-scale Cu particle (0.3 and $0.13{\mu}m$ in particle size). The effects of adding the fraction of nano-scale Cu powder on the melt viscosity of the feedstock, microstructure, density and tensile strength of sintered parts were discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.305-308
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• 2001

Powder injection molding (PIM) uses the shaping advantage of injection molding but is applicable to metals and ceramics. This process combines a small quantity of polymer with an inorganic powder to form a feedstock that can be molded. After shaping, the polymeric binder is extracted and the powder is sintered often to near-theoretical densities. Accordingly, PIM delivers structural materials in a shaping technology previously restricted to polymers. The process overcomes the shape limitations of traditional powder compaction, the costs of machining, the productivity limits of isostatic pressing and slip casting, and the defect and tolerance limitations of casting. The 17-4 PH stainless steel powders with average diameter of $10{\mu}m$ were injection-molded into flat tensile specimens. Sintering of the compacts was carried out at the various temperatures ranging from 900 to $1350^{\circ}C$. Sintering behavior of the compacts and tensile properties of sintered specimens were investigated.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.407-414
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• 2014

The powder injection molding process having advantages in manufacturing three-dimensional precision parts essentially requires a debinding process before sintering to remove the binders used for preparing feedstock. In this study, powder injection molding of translucent alumina was performed, and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) is used as a supercritical fluid that makes it possible to remove a large amount of binder, which is paraffin wax. The relationship between the optical property of translucent alumina and the debinding condition (temperature and pressure) of supercritical $CO_2$ was investigated. As temperature and pressure increased, extraction rate of the binder showed rising tendency and average grain size after sintering process was relatively fine. On the other hand, optical transmittance was reduced. As a result, the debinding condition at $50^{\circ}C$ and 20 MPa that represents the lowest extraction rate, $8.19{\times}10^{-3}m^2/sec$, corresponds to the largest grain size of $14.7{\mu}m$ and the highest optical transmittance of 45.2%.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2016

A powder injection molding process is developed and optimized for piezoelectric PAN-PZT ceramics. Torque rheometer experiments are conducted to determine the optimal solids loading, and the rheological property of the feedstock is evaluated using a capillary rheometer. Appropriate debinding conditions are chosen using a thermal gravity analyzer, and the debound specimens are sintered using sintering conditions determined in a preliminary investigation. Piezoelectric performance measures, including the piezoelectric charge constant and dielectric constant, are measured to verify the developed process. The average values of the measured piezoelectric charge constant and dielectric constant are 455 pC/N and 1904, respectively. Powder injection molded piezoelectric ceramics produced by the optimized process show adequate piezoelectric performance compared to press-sintered piezoelectric ceramics.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.275-278
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• 2005

This study has focused on manufacturing technique of powder injection molding of watch case which made from zirconia powder. A series of computer simulation process was applied to prediction of the flow pattern in the inside of the mould and defects as weld line. The material properties of melted feedstock inclusive of the PVT graph and thermal viscosity flowage properties were measured for obtaining the input data in computer simulation. Also, molding experiment was conducted and the results of experiment showed that good agreement with simulation results far flow pattern and weld line location. On the other hand, gravity and inertia effect have an influence on velocity of melt front because of high density of ceramic powder particles in powder injection molding against the polymer injection molding process. In the experiment, the position of melt front was compared with upper gate and lower gate position. The gravity and inertia effect could be confirmed in the experimental results.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.229-233
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• 2009

This study has focused on manufacturing technique of powder injection molding of watch case made from zirconia powder. A series of computer simulation process was applied to prediction of the flow pattern in the inside of the mould to clarifying the change of sintering shrinkage depended on flow direction. The material properties of melted feedstock inclusive of the PVT graph and thermal viscosity flowage properties were measured for obtaining the input data in computer simulation. Also, molding experiment was conducted and the results of experiment showed that good agreement with simulation results for flow pattern and weld line location. On the other hand, gravity and inertia effect have an influence on velocity of melt front because of high density of ceramic powder particles in powder injection molding against the polymer injection molding process. In the experiment, the position of melt front was compared with upper gate and lower gate position. The gravity and inertia effect could be confirmed in the experimental results.