Rheological study of feed stock for NiTi alloy molded parts

摘要

A rheological behaviour of the powder-binder mixture is one of essential analysis upon to success of Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) process. The purpose of this experimental work is to investigate the rheological behavior of feedstock containing mixtures of elemental Ni and Ti powders mixed with composite binder of palm stearin (PS) and polyethylene (PE) binder system. An equiatomic Ni-Ti (50-50) ratio was used in the present work for all formulations owing to excellent shape memory behaviour. The experimental rheological result indicated that all the feedstocks exhibited pseudo plastic flow behaviour; viscosity decreasing with temperature and shear rate. Increasing the powder loading resulted in higher viscosity, particularly at the low-range of shear rate. Owing to pseudo-plastic flow, it was found that the feedstock prepared exhibit promising rheological properties, thus resulting successfully injection moulding at an optimum temperature of 130°C.