HA/Ti6Al4V Powder with Palm Stearin Binder System - Feedstock Characterization

Abstract

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is widely known as net shape process to mass production for complex shape. In this study polyethylene and palm stearin was used as binder system for composite HA and Ti6Al4V. Ti6Al4V has spherical shape with particle size 25 μm and Hydroxyapatite has particle size 5 μm. Brabender®was used to mix HA and Ti6Al4V powder and binder for making feedstock, rheological properties of feedstock was examined by capillary rheometer. Effects of temperature, viscosity, shear rate and activation energy were discussed in this paper. Binder was removed by thermal debinding. Rheological test showed feedstock of composite HA and Ti6Al4V shows pseudoplastic behavior. Sintering was conducted on 1200°C by argon with holding time 2 hour.