Thermal and Flow Analysis of Stainless Steel and Alumina Feedstock Used for 2C-PIM Process

• Published in: Journal of Mechanical Engineering
• Main Author: Morni M.F.; Ismail M.H.; Nor N.H.M.; Mamat A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: UiTM Press 2022
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85138633868&doi=10.24191%2fjmeche.v19i3.19798&partnerID=40&md5=c908a263eaacf9a9240ed9c30eb1e8f2

Within this research, rheological analysis and thermal properties of two component feedstock based on ceramic and metallic powders are carried out to understand their flow behaviour. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Capillary Rheometer were employed to set up optimum conditions for moulding, debinding and sintering process. DSC results defined the melting point for both backbone binder components were recorded at the same point, 55 °C. TGA results showed total weight loss of alumina and stainless steel feedstock was 17.4% and 6.43% respectively. Throughout rheological analysis, both feedstock exhibit pseudoplastic behaviour as viscosity reduce with the increase of shear rate, with shear sensitivity index less than 1. The activation energy, E for alumina and stainless steel feedstock had E values in the range of 101.93 - 2934.3 J/mol and 7132.3 - 10436 J/mol, respectively. For both alumina and stainless steel feedstock, high mouldability index occurred at the highest temperature with shear rate of 96 s-1 and 4070 s-1 which had the value of 47 x 103 and 24 x 103 respectively. The optimum injection temperature for stainless steel and alumina feedstock should be 190 °C and 230 °C respectively, since the feedstock exhibits the best characteristics for injection © 2022 College of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia