Flow Behavior and Injectability of SS17-4PH with PS and PE Binders in Powder Injection Molding

Najlaa Nazihah Mas’ood; Abu Bakar Sulong; Norhamidi Muhamad; Intan Fadhlina Mohamed; Farhana Mohd Foudzi; Mohd Ikram Ramli; Farrahshaida Mohd Salleh

Authors

Najlaa Nazihah Mas’ood Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Abu Bakar Sulong Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Norhamidi Muhamad Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Intan Fadhlina Mohamed Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Farhana Mohd Foudzi Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Mohd Ikram Ramli Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia
Farrahshaida Mohd Salleh Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi Selangor, Malaysia

Keywords:

Rheology, powder injection molding, stainless steel

Abstract

Mass produced of desired molded parts is possible with Powder Injection Molding (PIM). This work focused on the rheological properties of stainless steel (SS) 17-4PH with a binder system of palm stearin (PS) and polyethylene (PE). The critical powder volume percentage of SS17-4PH at 75vol% was obtained. Based on such value, the powder loadings used in this work were 71vol%, 72vol% and 73vol%, were mixed with 60wt% PS and 40wt% PE. A capillary rheometer was employed for the rheological studies where the relationship between shear rate and viscosity was investigated. In addition, the value of flow behavior index, n for each powder loading was also computed in order to identify the injectability and activation energy, E of feedstocks. It was found that powder loading at 72vol% gave the best rheological properties.