STATISTICAL-ANALYSIS OF PROCESS PARAMETERS INFLUENCING DIMENSIONAL CONTROL IN CERAMIC INJECTION-MOLDING

A statistical two-level, 16-run factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of various process parameters on the dimensiona l variation of injection-molded ceramics. The effects of various solid loadings and feedstock formulations, together with different molding variables, on the shrinkage variation and dimensional tolerance of inj ection-molded zirconia ceramics were examined. Statistically significa nt parameters, including the effects from multiple interaction of the selected factors, were determined through the analysis of variance and the F-test. The results suggested that the dimensional variations of both green and sintered moldings were reduced as the molding operation applied a higher hold pressure and a low mold temperature. The genera l implications in respect of dimensional tolerance in powder injection molding were discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.