Studies on the Ceramic Injection Moulding and Debinding of Al2O3 Powder

Abstract

In this work the processing steps for producing ceramic part by means of ceramic injection moulding technique is investigated. Different feedstocks are prepared from high purity -Alumina (Al2O3) powder and a thermoplastic binder based on paraffin wax, stearic acid and Polypropylene (PP). 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 air atmosphere. 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.