Studies on the Metal Injection Moulding and Debinding of a Grain Stainless Steel 316L Powder

Abstract

In this work the processing steps for producing 316L SS part by means of metal injection moulding technique is investigated. Different feedstocks are prepared from the water atomized 316L SS powder and a thermoplastic binder based on paraffin wax, stearic acid and HDPE. The suitable feedstock is prepared and injected successfully at low pressure. The moulded specimens are debinded by solvent debinding using n-heptane at different temperature and time conditions followed by thermal debinding method and are sintered in vacuum. The results show that no swelling or distortion exists on the moulded specimens. Furthermore, it is observed that after solvent extraction the specimens was possessing adequate strength for handling. Large pores formed from the surface to interior of the debound part during solvent extraction, allowed easy escape of gases during thermal debinding. It is observed that the sintered parts are free from defects and dimensional shrinkage is found nearly same in all the three direction.