An Analysis of Rheological Properties of Inconel 625 Superalloy Feedstocks Formulated with Backbone Binder Polypropylene System for Powder Injection Molding

Binder formula is one of the most significant factors which has a considerable influence on powder injection molding (PIM) processes. In the study, rheological behaviors and properties of different binder systems containing PIM feedstocks, Inconel 625 powder commonly used in space industry, were investigated. The feedstocks were prepared 59%-69% (volume) powder loading ratios with three diversified binder systems by use of Polypropylene as backbone binder. The average particle size of the Inconel 625 powder used was 12.86 microns. Components used in the binder were mixed for 30 minutes as dry in three dimensional mixing to prepare binder systems. Rheological features of the feedstock were characterized by using a capillary rheometer. Viscosities of the feedstocks were calculated within the range of 37.996-1900 Pa.s based on the shear rate, shear stress, binder formula and temperature. “n” parameters for PIM feedstocks were determined to be less than 1. Influences of temperature on the viscosities of the feedstocks were also studied and “Ea” under various shear stresses were determined within the range of 24.41-70.89 kJ/mol