Fabrication of stainless steel based composite by metal injection moulding

Abstract

Metal injection moulding (MIM) is large scale manufacturing method, for creation of complex shapes and miniature parts by a combination of plastic injection moulding with the flexibility in sintering of metal particulates. In current investigation binder comprised of paraffin wax, polyethylene glycol, stearic acid and low-density polyethylene are developed for moulding of composite powders of SS316L+WC-CrC-Ni, and sintered at 1200�C under hydrogen purged atmosphere. Composites are characterised with respect to rheological, thermal properties and microstructure by scanning electron microscopy, microhardness and density. Properties of sintering temperature and heating rate on the above properties have been evaluated to obtain a defect-free composite. � 2017 Elsevier Ltd.