ATMOSPHERE CONTROL DURING DEBINDING OF POWDER INJECTION-MOLDED PARTS

Atmosphere control during debinding of powder injection molded (PIM) p arts is an important parameter to consider. Experimental results have shown that a stagnant atmosphere containing volatiles evolved during d ebinding can cause slumping of the green samples. Removal of volatiles from the sample zone aids debinding and can reduce cycle times and im prove sample quality. Residual carbon and oxygen can be controlled dur ing debinding by adjusting the atmosphere composition. This paper pres ents the results of PIM 70 vol% spherical copper powder and 30 vol% bi nder. Debinding atmospheres were altered to determine the effect of de binding on the green body and the sintered sample.