Quantitative Analysis of Fiber Fracture in Powder Injection Molded Metal Composites

Abstract

In this study, metal composite feed stocks were prepared and test samples were produced by powder injection molding and Multiple Live-Feed Molding (MLFM) devices to investigate the effects of fiber content and macro-shear on the fiber fracture. Fiber-length was measured using an image processing system. The results showed that the fiber volume content increased fiber fracture by 9% and viscosity showed 10% increase in fiber fracture. Samples produced by MLFM devices showed a 1% higher fiber fracture compared to the test bars produced by injection molding. Tensile strength of composites was calculated using fiber contents and fiber length. Considerable increase in tensile strength was noted for metal composites with fiber length above a critical length.