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...

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%.

RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF METAL INVECTION MOLDING BINDER AND FEEDSTOCK

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Rheological, mechanical and corrosive properties of injection molded 17-4PH stainless steel

The feedstock based on the binder 65%PW-30%EVA-5%SA has the best general rheological properties for the 17-4PH stainless steel powder. The 17-4PH stainless steel compacts sintered at 1 380 ℃ for 90 min have the best mechanical properties and the good microstructure with homogeneously distributed pore structure and the moderate-sized grains. Whereas the compacts sintered for 60 min and 120 min show an inadequate and an over-sintered microstructure respectively. The compacts sintered at 1380 ℃ for 90 min have the density of 7.70 g/cm^3, the strength of 1 275 MPa, the elongation of 5%, and hardness of HRC36. With the increase of sintering temperature, the density, strength and hardness increase, while the elongation decreases. The 17-4PH stainless steel has good corrosion resistance, showing an activation-passivation polarization curve. But the passivation potential range is narrow and the spot corrosion potential is low, indicating a low anti-spot corrosive properties.

Sintering products molded by injecting ceramic and metal powders

The injection molding products with different volume ratios of ZrO2 ceramic powder to 316L stainless steel powder were prepared. Properties and structure of the products were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscope（SEM） and transmission electron microscope （TEM）. The results show that the compressive stress exists in the products and the bend strength reaches 300MPa. ZrO2 phase and stainless steel phase are uniform in samples. The toughness of ceramic increases with the increasing the content of stainless steel. Through TEM study of the interface, some crystalline orientation relationships are determined.

粉末粒径对MIM小模数齿轮质量性能的影响研究

采用金属粉末注射成形(Metal powder Injection Molding,MIM)工艺研制小模数齿轮,为改善齿轮烧结件的质量性能,采用不同粒径的粉末进行制备;采用熔体流速测定仪、孔隙率测定软件、2.5次元影像测量仪和显微维氏硬度计等分析齿轮的烧结性能,研究了粉末粒径对齿轮表面质量、孔隙率和收缩率的影响机制。结果表明,5.0µm粉末制备的齿轮,粉末流动性能差,烧结后粉末浓度分布不均匀,表面存在黑线,并且尺寸收缩不均匀,影响尺寸精度;9.0µm粉末制备的齿轮,烧结颈形成能力差,扩散机制进程滞缓,导致烧结后孔隙率高,孔隙尺寸大;采用7.0µm粉末制备齿轮时,齿轮的质量性能最好,齿轮不存在表面缺陷,孔隙率降至2.9%,维氏硬度值达到355,收缩率均匀性高,尺寸精度高,所检项目精度等级在GB 2363—1990标准下均高于7级。

热等静压强化处理MIM 316L不锈钢的研究

采用金属粉末注射成形工艺在不同烧结温度下制备了316L不锈钢零件及拉伸试样条,并对该产品进行了热等静压不同温度的后处理。对试样的拉伸断口形貌进行分析。结果表明:采用MIM工艺制备的316L不锈钢件烧结温度在1300~1400℃时,随着烧结温度的提高,烧结件的相对密度逐渐提高,但屈服强度和抗拉强度在烧结温度达到1360℃后开始逐渐降低;采用热等静压强化处理的316L不锈钢件与未热等静压强化处理件相比,孔隙减少,相对密度提高,孪晶组织增多,屈服强度和抗拉强度均有提高。采用MIM+HIP后处理制备的316L不锈钢件与MIM制备的样件相比,断口形貌韧窝尺寸相对较大、较深,塑性优于MIM样的。

等距螺旋锥齿轮的精确建模与金属粉末注射成型工艺试制

等距螺旋锥齿轮作为一种新型锥齿轮,其螺旋齿面具有法向等距的特点,适用于金属粉末注射成型工艺批量化生产。根据坐标变换理论推导出球面渐开线和等距圆锥螺旋线的参数方程,再基于齿面形成原理建立齿面数学模型;在MATLAB中对齿面数学模型编程计算出齿面离散点坐标,并通过UG逆向工程完成等距螺旋锥齿轮的精确建模;利用ANSYS仿真分析等距螺旋锥齿轮的啮合接触,得出齿轮的传动性能;最后通过金属粉末注射成型工艺完成等距螺旋锥齿轮的试制。研究结果表明,齿面数学模型结合离散点逆向建模可确保模型的精度,金属粉末注射成型工艺可用于等距螺旋锥齿轮的批量化生产。

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。