Powder Injection Moulding - An alternative Processing Method for Automotive Items

Abstract

Powder injection moulding (PIM) technology represents a challeging production method for automotive items, alternative to machining and investment casting.Rheology could play a role of considerable importance in controlling and optimizing the PIM process and eliminating some critical quality concerns. At present, the potential of rheological models available to describe the peculiarities of the flow behaviour of PIM compounds is rather limited as these models are not established for multiphase systems containing several binder components and powders of irregular shape, broad distribution of particle sizes and sizes with enhanced tendency to form agglomerates. Therefore, the challenging task for the current research is to design a model validated on reliable flow data conducted considering the structural changes of PIM compounds upon shearing, and its implementation into the approaches simulating the flow of the PIM feedstocks.