Powder Injection Molding Feedstocks: Relevant Properties for Flow Simulations

摘要

Powder injection molding (PIM) is an effective (high added value) and attractive alternative to the traditional metallurgical processes for the production of complex-shaped, small metallic and ceramic parts. The critical step of the process is the flow of highly filled polymer melts into a mold cavity during injection molding. For plastic materials there exist commercially available software programs, which successfully predict the flow situations. For PIM feedstocks simulation analyses crucial to optimize process are still missing. Thus, the tools derived for polymer melts are also applied to predict the flow of PIM feedstocks. The paper shows that the most important factors are a suitable rheological model developed to describe the flow behaviour of these specific feedstocks in the broad shear rate range, and relevant physical properties evaluated with the special regard to the specifics of PIM materials.