The role of thermal and transport properties on the binder burnout of injection-molded ceramic components

A mathematical model is developed for describing the decomposition and remo val of binder from ceramic components formed by injection molding. The mode l takes into account heat transfer by conduction within the ceramic body, m ass transfer by convective flow of gas products, and an Arrhenius dependenc e of the decomposition rate. The model is solved numerically to determine t he spatial and temporal evolution of temperature, reaction rate, concentrat ion, porosity, and pressure. The influences of the thermal and transport pr operties on the distribution of binder and on the buildup of pressure withi n the body are examined. When small temperature gradients exist across the body, the binder is removed homogenously, whereas when large temperature gr adients are present, the binder is removed as a receding planar front. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.