Solvent debinding process in powder injection molding: experiments and numerical simulations
Résumé
Powder Injection Molding (PIM) is a technology in which thermoplastic polymeric materials with a high content of metallic powders are molded in a required shape. In this paper, solvent debinding for copper green components shaped by powder injection molding has been investigated. All the solvent debinding process tests have been carried out in water at various temperatures [40 to 60°C]. The distribution of the remaining soluble binder content inside the specimen has been described by using second Fick’s diffusion law. Numerical simulations based on the finite element method have been carried out for validation through determination of the remaining soluble binder content at different debinding times. Results also showed that solvent temperature and component thickness played a very important role in the water debinding process. A properly adapted model describing the required debinding time, for components with different thicknesses at different temperatures, has been established. The proposed numerical simulation model provides improved monitoring possibilities for solvent debinding process particularly to extract binder from the complicated molded components.
Domaines
Mécanique [physics]Origine | Fichiers produits par l'(les) auteur(s) |
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