DefinePK

Abstract

The paper describes the homogeneity characterization of a newly developed binder system based on waste polystyrene (PS) and palm kernel oil (PKO) to produce feedstock for metal injection molding (MIM). It is one of a critical step that must be performed in MIM process in order to have a feedstock that is homogeneous and moldable. In this study, water atomised Stainless Steel powder supplied by Epson Atmix Japan was mixed with a new binder system consisting of waste polystyrene and palm kernel oil in a Brabender Plastograph EC rotary mixer. Several tests were performed to assess the homogeneity of the feedstock that was produced at 60 vol.% powder loadings. The 60 vol.% was chosen because the Critical Powder Volume Concentration (CPVC) of the Powder was found to be 64.8 vol.%. The tests conducted were feedstock density, binder burn-out, rheology and SEM morphology observation. From all the tests conducted, it was found that the feedstock shows good homogeneity and suitable for subsequent processing steps in MIM.