Characterisation of stainless steel 316L and palm stearin based binder by using metal injection molding (MIM) process

Abstract

Polystyrene (PS) has been a nature’s degradable issue as it cannot biodegradable. In this project, recycle polystyrene (PS) is used as main binder in Metal Injection Molding (MIM). The research aims are to investigate the optimum injection parameter for stainless steel 316L with polymeric binder (PS,PE, palm stearin and glycerol) and study its hardness and porosity also microstructure after injection molding. 63wt%, 64wt% and 65wt% of powder loading of feedstock were prepared in mixing process. All prepared feedstock were injected under manipulated injection parameter for mold temperature and pressure to find the optimum parameter which can inject full dumb bell shape. The injection parameter (mold temperature: 110 to 115oC and pressure: 7 to 8kPa) which able to produce full dumb bell shape is continued for debinding process, thermal pyrolisis process, sintering process, mechanical testing and analysis. From the studies, 63wt% of powder loading shows good flowability and moldability with high hardness (388Hv) and low porosity (89%) when using 110oC as mold temperature and 7kPa of pressure.