Powder Injection Molding of Ceria-Stabilized, Zirconia- Toughened Mullite Parts for UAV Engine Components

摘要

Powder injection molding (PIM) of ceria-stabilized, zirconia-toughened mullite composites were investigated in the present article with the goal of obtaining performance enhancement in complex geometries for energy and transporta tion applications. A powder-polymer mixture (feedstock) was developed and characterized to determine its suitability for fabricating complex components using the PIM process. Test specimens were injection molded and subse quently debound and sintered. The sintered properties indicated suitable properties for engine component applications used in unmanned aerial vehi cles (UAVs). The measured feedstock properties were used in computer sim ulations to assess the mold-filling behavior for a miniature turbine stator. The results from the measurements of rheological and thermal properties of the feedstock combined with the sintered properties of the ceria-stabilized, zirco nia-toughened mullite strongly indicate the potential for enhancing the per formance of complex geometries used in demanding operating conditions in UAV engines.