The sintering study of stainless steel ۳۱۶ metal injection molding for high density application purpose

The purpose of the exercise in metal injection molding is to remove the binder from the parts and convertthe powder mass into a strong metal part without losing the molded shape. This final process of convertingthe part into a strong mass is achieved by sintering. The parts need to be subjected to a higher temperaturein a suitable atmosphere for this to happen. The sintering stages represent the changes in the powder massafter consolidation into a shape to the final densified object. On the other hand, for filter or self-lubricationbearing applications a specific pore size is desired and the parts are not sintered to be fully dense. MIMrepresents a condition similar to loose powder sintering, where all the stages of sintering apply. The studiesshowed that injection at temperature of ۱۰۰ °C results in evaporation of binder components. From theprocessing point of view, the temperature of ۲۱۰ ˚C and pressure of ۱۹۰۰ Bar seems to be the most suitablecondition for injection molding and result is high density. In addition, the effects of sintering conditions(temperature and time) on the microstructure are discussed.

Keywords:

sintering , Metal Injection molding , injection temperature , ۳۱۶L stainless steel , density.