Oxygen variation in titanium powder and metal injection molding

The control of oxygen is paramount in achieving high-performance titanium(Ti)parts by powder metallurgy such as metal in-jection molding(MIM).In this study,we purposely selected the Ti and Ti-6Al-4V powders as the reference materials since these two are the most representative Ti materials in the industry.Herein,hydride-dehydride(HDH)Ti powders were pre-oxidized to examine the ef-fect of oxygen variation on the characteristics of oxide layer on the particle surface and its resultant color feature.The results indicate that the thickness and Ti oxide level(Ti^(0)→Ti^(4+))of the oxide layer on the HDH Ti powders increased as the oxygen content increased,lead-ing to the transition of color appearance from grey,brown to blue.This work aids in the powder feedstock selection at the initial stage in powder metallurgy.In addition,the development of oxygen content was comprehensively studied during the MIM process using the gas-atomized(GA)Ti-6Al-4V powders.Particularly,the oxygen variation in the form of oxide layer,the change of oxygen content in the powders,and the relevant parts were investigated during the processes of kneading,injection,debinding,and sintering.The oxygen vari-ation was mainly concentrated in the sintering stage,and the content increased with the increase of sintering temperature.The variation of oxygen content during the MIM process demonstrates the crucial role of powder feedstock and sintering stage in controlling oxygen con-tent.This work provides a piece of valuable information on oxygen detecting,control,and manipulation for the powder and processing in the industry of Ti and its alloys by powder metallurgy.

Evolution of stresses in metal injection molding parts during sintering

The evolution of stresses due to inhomogeneity in metal injection molding （MIM） parts during sintering was investigated. The sintering model of porous materials during densification process was developed based on the continuum mechanics and thermal elasto-viseoplastic constitutive law. Model parameters were identified from the dilatometer sintering experiment. The real density distribution of green body was measured by X-ray computed tomography （CT）, which was regarded as the initial condition of sintering model. Numerical calculation of the above sintering model was carried out with the finite element soRware Abaqus, through the user-defined material mechanical behavior （UMAT）. The calculation results showed that shrinkages of low density regions were faster than those of high density regions during sintering, which led to internal stresses. Compressive stresses existed in high density regions and tensile stresses existed in low density regions. The densification of local regions depended on not only the initial density, but also the evolution of stresses during the sintering stage.

Fabrication and sintering behavior of high-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steels by metal injection molding

High-nitrogen nickel-free stainless steels were fabricated by the metal injection molding technique using high nitrogen alloying powders and a mixture of three polymers as binders.Mixtures of metal powders and binders with various proportions were also investigated, and an optimum powder loading capacity was determined as 64vol%.Intact injection molded compacts were successfully obtained by regulating the processing parameters.The debinding process for molded compacts was optimized with a combination of thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis.An optimum relative density and nitrogen content of the specimens are obtained at 1360℃,which are 97.8%and 0.79wt%,respectively.

Biocompatibility of vascular stents manufactured using metal injection molding in animal experiments

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a novel stent manufactured by metal injection molding(MIM)in clinical practice through animal experiments.Vessel stents were prepared using powder injection molding technology to considerably improve material utilization.The influence of MIM carbon impurity variation on the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel was studied.In vitro cytotoxicity and animal transplantation tests were also carried out to evaluate the safety of MIM stents.The results showed that the performance of 316L stainless steel was very sensitive to the carbon content.Carbon fluctuations should be precisely controlled during MIM.All MIM stents were successfully implanted into the aortas of the dogs,and the MIM 316L stents had no significant cytotoxicity.The novel intravascular stent manufactured using MIM can maintain a stable form and structure with fast endothelialization of the luminal surface of the stent and ensure long-term patency in an animal model.The novel intravascular stent manufactured using MIM demonstrates favorable structural,physical,and chemical stability,as well as biocompatibility,offering promising application in clinical practice.

Antioxidation Study of Sm(Co, Cu, Fe, Zr)_z-Sintered Permanent Magnets by Metal Injection Molding

Antioxidation effects on Sm （Co, Cu, Fe, Zr）z-sintered magnets treated by different methods were studied through TGA and DTA. Microstructure of Sm（Co, Cu, Fe, Zr）z-sintered magnets was analyzed through SEM and EDS. The results indicate that the antioxidation effect of the alloy powder treated in silane solution is better than that of the other methods. The alloy powders treated in stearic acid （SA） solution and polymethyl methacrylate （PMMA） solution can prevent powders from oxidation for a short period of time. Silane solution is not suitable for metal injection molding （MIM） because it severely damages the magnetic properties and microstructure of Sm（Co, Cu, Fe, Zr）z-sintered magnets. SA solution can not only prevent powders from oxidizing in MIM, but also does not damage magnetic properties and microstructure of Sm（Co, Cu, Fe, Zr）z magnets. The oxygen content of Sm（Co, Cu, Fe, Zr）z-sintered magnets by MIM is 3300μg·g^-1.

Porous titanium implants fabricated by metal injection molding

Sodium chloride(NaCl)was added as a space holder in synthesis of porous titanium by using metal injection molding(MIM)method.The microstructure and mechanical properties of porous titanium were analyzed by mercury porosimeter, scanning electron microscope(SEM)and compression tester.The results show that the content of NaCl influences the porosity of porous titanium significantly.Porous titanium powders with porosity in the range of 42.4%-71.6%and pore size up to 300μm were fabricated.The mechanical test shows that with increasing NaCl content,the compressive strength decreases from 316.6 to 17.5 MPa and the elastic modulus decreases from 3.03 to 0.28 GPa.

Phase Behaviors in Bi-phase Simulation of Powder Segregation in Metal Injection Molding

Powder segregation induced by mold filling is an important phenomenon that affects the final quality of metal injection molding （MIM）. The prediction of segregation in MIM requires a bi-phase flow model to describe distinctly the flows of metallic powder and polymer binder. Viscous behaviors for the flows of each phase should hence be determined. The coefficient of interaction between the flows of two phases should also be evaluated. However, only viscosity of the mixed feedstock is measurable by capillary tests. Wall sticking is supposed in the traditional model for capillary tests, while the wall slip is important to be taken into account in MIM injection. Objective of the present paper is to introduce the slip effect in bi-phase simulation, and search the suitable way to determine the viscous behaviors for each phase with the consideration of wall slip in capillary tests. Analytical and numerical methods were proposed to realize such a specific purpose. The proposed method is based on the mass conservation between the capillary flows in mono-phase model for the mixed feedstock and in bi-phase model for the flows of two phases. Examples of the bi-phase simulation in MIM were realized with the software developed by research team. The results show evident segregation, which is valuable for improving the mould designs.

Mechanical properties and microstructure of Ti-6Al-4V compacts by metal injection molding

Ti-6Al-4V compacts were fabricated by metal injection molding(MIM). Influence of vacuum sintering time on mechanical properties and microstructure of the sintered compacts at 1 260 ℃ were investigated. The experimental results show that the compacts sintered at 1 260 ℃ for 36 h, which was made from hydrogenation-dehydrogenation(HDH) powder(average particles size is 45 μm), have a relative density of 95.6% 96.7%, ultimate tensile strength of 648686MPa and 0.2% yield strength of 526615MPa; but a lower elongation(<4%) and that the compacts sintered at 1 260 ℃ for 26 h, which was made from 90% gas-atomized powder(average particles size is 32.5 μm) and 10% HDH powder, have higher relative density(>95%), ultimate tensile strength of 800848MPa, 0.2% yield strength of 712762MPa and high elongation (7.4%9.5%). When the sintering time is increased, porosity decreases and microstructure of sintered products changes from equiaxed to typical Widmanstatten, the average sizes of prior β grains, α colonies and α phase thickness in the β grains increase accordingly. After HIP treatment, pores obviously become less, microstructure of alloy is refined and mechanical properties are greatly improved.

Injection molding of micro-porous titanium alloy with space holder technique

The powder space holder （PSH） and powder injection molding （PIM） methods have an industrial competitive advantage because they are capable of the net-shape production of micro-sized porous parts. In this study, micro-porous Ti6Al4V alloy （Ti64） parts were produced by the PSH-PIM process. Ti64 alloy powder and spherical polymethylrnethacrylate （PMMA） particles were used as a space holder material. After molding, binder debinding was performed by thermal method under inert gas. Debinded samples were sintered at 1250℃ for 60min in a vacuum （10-4 Pa）. Metallographic studies were conducted to determine densification and the corresponding microstructural changes. The surface of sintered samples was examined by SEM. The compressive stress and elastic modulus of the rificro-porous Ti64 samples were determined. The effects of fraction of PMMA on the properties of sintered micro-porous Ti64 alloy samples were investigated. It was shown that the fraction of PMMA could be controlled to affect the properties of the Ti alloy.

Preparation of Ti-Mo getters by injection molding

Ti-Mo getters have been fabricated via metal injection molding (MIM) using three kinds of Ti powders with different mean particle sizes of 46 μm,35 μm and 26 μm,respectively. The surface morphology,porosity,and hydrogen sorption properties of Ti-Mo getters formed by MIM using paraffin wax as a principal binder constituent were examined. It has been proven that the powder injection molding is a viable forming technique for porous Ti-Mo getters. The particle size of Ti powders and the powder loading influence...

RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF METAL INVECTION MOLDING BINDER AND FEEDSTOCK

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Effect of annealing processing on microstructure and properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy by powder injection molding

Ti6A14V alloy parts were prepared by metal injection molding. Brown parts were densified at 1 200-1 260℃for 2-4 h in vacuum atmosphere. The as-sintered specimens were treated through Hot-Isostatic Pressure(HIP) at 960℃and 140 MPa. Ti6A14V alloy compacts were annealed at 720-760℃for 1 h. The results show that binder in the parts can be removed by solvent debinding and thermal debinding process. Ti6A14V alloy has an uniform duplex microstructure with many equiaxedαgrains and a littleβgrains. When the annealing temperature is higher than 800℃, T16A14V alloy has lower mechanical properties.After solution treatment and aging, a typical martensite microstructure can be achieved.

Development of wax-oil-polyethylene binder for Fe-2Ni powder injection molding

A new wax oil polyethylene binder was developed for Fe 2Ni powder injection molding. The advantages of both wax based and oil based binders were acquired. Moreover, the debinding solvent could be recycled. The miscibility of the binder ingredients and the characteristics were evaluated. The results show that the maximum powder loading can reach 60%(volume fraction), and the two direction debinding rate is over 2 mm/h. The drying time for 6.37 mm thick samples is less than 20 min. The recycle ratio of the debinding solvent is over 95%.

粉末装载量对W-Ni-FeMIM合金喂料粘度及力学性能的影响

对粉末装载量对ＷＮｉＦｅＭＩＭ合金喂料的粘度及力学性能的影响进行了研究，发现喂料粘度随粉末装载量的升高而增大，但不同粉末装载量喂料的应变敏感性因子基本一致，呈现基本相同的假塑性体流变行为。ＷＮｉＦｅ喂料存在一最佳粉末装载量，此时合金力学性能最好，低于或高于这个粉末装载量都使得合金力学性能降低。

微晶蜡对MIM多元蜡基粘结剂性能的影响

研究了微晶蜡MW的加入对PW-EVA-HDPE蜡基粘结剂、喂料的均匀性、流变特性的影响。对比实验发现MW加入不会明显改变粘结剂的粘度,加入20%MW(质量分数)的蜡基体强度提高了5倍,体积收缩率降低到6.44%,使多元蜡基粘结剂从粗大层片状(50μm^150μm)结晶细化为均匀的微细晶(5μm^8μm);一定量的MW可以改善PW-EVA-HDPE三元蜡基粘结剂的组织均匀性和热稳定性,升高注射温度,能提高粉末装载量和粉末在粘结剂中分散的均匀性,从而提高产品的成品率和尺寸精度。

热等静压及后续热处理对MIM418涡轮合金组织与性能的影响

比较了热等静压前后MIM418合金组织与致密度的变化,研究了不同淬火(水冷和空冷)、时效工艺对热等静压后固溶态MIM418合金微观组织及各种析出相的影响,利用扫描电镜、透射电镜、能谱分析等手段分析了合金中主要强化相γ'和碳化物二者的形态、大小和分布的规律。结果表明,热等静压可明显提高MIM418合金的致密度,但对显微组织影响不大,"固溶+中温时效"可以获得较好的硬化效果,主要析出强化相γ'和二次碳化物的析出受固溶冷却方式的影响较大,γ'相纳米化和二次碳化物的析出或将有益于MIM418硬度的大幅度提高。

烧结气氛对MIM316L不锈钢致密化和尺寸精度的影响

用注射成形方法(MIM)制备了316L不锈钢样品,并在Ar、Ar+H2、N2、N2+H2和低真空5种气氛下对样品进行了烧结,讨论了烧结气氛对合金致密化、力学性能和尺寸精度的影响.结果表明:烧结气氛的露点显著影响着合金的致密化和最终力学性能;烧结气氛中的H2可以脱去合金中的碳来影响致密化和力学性能;用注射成形获得的最终样品尺寸精度受注射、脱脂和烧结工序的影响;在采用溶剂脱脂时,3个工序对尺寸精度的影响由大至小依次为烧结、注射和脱脂.在不同气氛下,3个工序对尺寸精度的影响相对稳定.

采用氢化-脱氢(HDH)钛粉和氢化钛粉制备MIMTi-6Al-4V合金

以HDH钛粉制备MIMTi-6Al-4V合金的过程为参照,对使用氢化钛粉为原料制备P/M模压钛合金以及MIM钛合金的工艺过程进行了探索。使用HDH钛粉制备的MIMTi-6Al-4V合金抗拉强度为819MPa,拉伸样延伸率为7%;使用氢化钛粉制备的P/M模压Ti-6Al-4V合金拉伸样抗拉性能高于850MPa;使用氢化钛粉为原料制备MIMTi-6Al-4V合金,顺利实现了脱氢-脱脂过程。

MIM用金属粉末的现状及发展

介绍了金属注射成形工艺对粉末的基本要求及其选用原则,详细阐述了几种典型制粉方法的原理、特点及应用。同时根据未来MIM的发展趋势,对其所用粉末提出了新的展望。

烧结气氛对MIM316L不锈钢微观组织和性能的影响

在Ar、Ar +H2 、N2 、N2 +H2 四种气氛下对MIM 31 6L不锈钢进行了烧结 ,讨论了烧结气氛对样品C、O、N含量、烧结密度、晶粒形貌和力学性能的影响。结果表明四种气氛烧结下样品C、O、N含量可控制在许可范围内。烧结气氛的露点显著影响着合金的致密化和最终力学性能 ;N2 +H2 气氛烧结下样品的抗拉强度和延伸率分别可达到 76 5MPa和 32 % ;Ar和Ar+H2 气氛烧结下样品致密化程度高 (可达理论密度的 98% ) ,孔隙细小、圆滑、分布均匀 ,晶粒尺寸大约为 5 0 μm ;样品的力学性能如下 :极限拉伸强度 6 30MPa、屈服强度 2 80MPa、延伸率5 2 %、硬度HRB 6 9 5。