Dynamic response optimization for cemented carbide injection molding

Abstract

The need to optimize the injection molding parameters for producing cemented carbide parts via Metal Injection Molding process is crucial to ensure the system’s robustness towards manufacturer and customer’s satisfactions. Defect free product with best density can be produced while reducing time and cost in manufacturing. In this work, the feedstock consisting of WC-Co powders, mixed with palm stearin and polyethylene binder system was injection molded to produce green parts. Several processing variables, namely powder loading, injection temperature, holding pressure and flowrate, were optimized towards the density of the green body, as the response factor. By considering humidity level at morning and evening conditions as the noise factor, the results show the optimum combination of injection molding parameters that produces best green density. The green part exhibited best density by following this optimum processing parameters, A2B3C1D1, that are flowrate at 20 ccm/s, powder loading at 63% vol., injection temperature at 140°C, and holding pressure at 1700 bar