Development of Metal Plate with Internal Structure Utilizing the Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Process

Materials

Kwangho Shin²  Youngmoo Heo²  Hyungpil Park²  Sungho Chang¹ 

[1] Gaon Solutec, 255 Suwonchon-ro Paldal-gu, Suwon City 442-010, Korea; E-Mail:;Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, 7-46 Songdo-dong Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 406-840, Korea; E-Mails:

关键词: viscosity;    stainless steel powder feedstock;    metal injection molding;    flow characteristics;    internal structure;    sacrificed polymer insert;    sintering;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma6125878

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In this study, we focus on making a double-sided metal plate with an internal structure, such as honeycomb. The stainless steel powder was used in the metal injection molding (MIM) process. The preliminary studies were carried out for the measurement of the viscosity of the stainless steel feedstock and for the prediction of the filling behavior through Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation. PE (high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE)) and polypropylene (PP) resins were used to make the sacrificed insert with a honeycomb structure using a plastic injection molding process. Additionally, these sacrificed insert parts were inserted in the metal injection mold, and the metal injection molding process was carried out to build a green part with rectangular shape. Subsequently, debinding and sintering processes were adopted to remove the sacrificed polymer insert. The insert had a suitable rigidity that was able to endure the filling pressure. The core shift analysis was conducted to predict the deformation of the insert part. The 17-4PH feedstock with a low melting temperature was applied. The glass transition temperature of the sacrificed polymer insert would be of a high grade, and this insert should be maintained during the MIM process. Through these processes, a square metal plate with a honeycomb structure was made.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.