MULTIPARAMETER MAPPING OF POLYMER PROPERTIES FOR FAST THERMOLYSIS OF POWDER MOLDINGS

Ceramic or metal injection molding involves the shaping of a crowded s uspension of particles in a polymer that is later removed by thermolys is. During heating, degradation products dissolve in the parent polyme r and diffuse to the free surfaces where evaporation occurs. if heated too rapidly in the initial stage, the solution at the center of the m olding boils and a bubble forms. This article explores the implication s of a multiparameter model that predicts the highest permissible heat ing rate in terms of polymer properties and maps the outcome. The aim is to develop criteria for the deliberate synthesis of thermally labil e copolymers from a knowledge of the desirable property combinations. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.