Saudi Journal of Engineering and Technology (SJEAT)
Volume-3 | Issue-09 | 588-592
Original Research Article
Physical and Mechanical Evaluation of Injection Moulded of 17-4PH Stainless Steel
Mohd Afian Omar, Noorsyakirah Abdullah, Ismail Nasiruddin Ahmad, Nor Amalina Nordin, Nor ‘Aini Wahab
Published : Sept. 30, 2018
Abstract
The 17-4PH stainless steel (17-4PH SS) parts were fabricated by using a
metal injection moulding (MIM) route that utilizes three binder systems comprising of
palm stearin (PS), thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR), polyethylene (PE), paraffin
wax (PW) and stearic acid (SA). The 17-4PH SS powder was mixed with binders at
powder loading of 65% vol by using a z-blade mixer for 2 hours at a temperature of
180°C to produce a homogeneous feedstock. The feedstock completely filled the mold
cavity at a temperature of 180°C and pressure of 400 bars. A two-stage debinding
process (solvent and thermal) was performed to remove binders in green parts. Debound
parts were sintered at temperature ranging from 1300°C to 1380°C for 2 hours. The
microstructures, physical and mechanical properties of the sintered parts were evaluated
in order to determine the feasibility of binder. Among the three binder systems
considered herein, PW/PE/SA appeared to produce optimum sintered properties while
PS/TPNR produced the lowest. Experimental results have also demonstrated that
comparable sintered properties could be obtained from the PS/PE at higher sintering
temperature. In summary, this work has indicated that bio-composite binder systems,
PS/TPNR and PS/PE could be considered as a promising binder in MIM of 17-4PH SS.