Abstract:The removal of the binder from the powder compacts (debinding) can be a slow step and a source of problems. To improve the debinding process of powder injection molding operation, it's necessary to understand the thermal and mechanical properties of powder injection molding feedstocks and to find the major causes responsible for molding difficulties and compacts shape retention during debinding process. The effects of thermo-mechanical properties of the PIM feedstock on the compacts shape retention during debinding process were discussed and explained from practical point of view. The results indicate that the heat of fusion affects the cooling time. The binder component with high heat of fusion and high-decomposed temperature is more effective as the second binder component for the compact to retain its shape during debinding.

Key words: thermo-mechanical properties; shape retention; debinding; thermal stresses