Effect of 17-4PH stainless steel powders interaction on feedstocks

The objective of this work is to investigate the effects of 17-4PH stainless steel powders interaction on properties of feedstocks. γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550), γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)propyltrimethoxy silane (KH560), and propyltrimethoxy silane (N313) were used to modify 17-4PH stainless steel powders, and described as KH550-m, KH560-m and N313-m with amino, epoxy and propyl group, respectively. The properties of feedstocks prepared from the pristine, KH550-m, KH560-m and N313-m were compared with that of equal amount of KH550-m and KH560-m (KH550-m/KH560-m). The experimental results revealed that the critical solids loading, density and melt flow rate of KH550-m/KH560-m feedstocks were 62.8 vol%, 5.24 g/cm3 and 51.42 g/10 min, respectively, which were higher than that of others. Besides, the debinded parts shape retention of KH550-m/KH560-m was also better than others. The good properties of KH550-m/KH560-m feedstocks originate from the strong interaction between KH550-m and KH560-m, which comes from the reaction and hydrogen bond between amino group and epoxy group. [Display omitted] •Strong powder interaction can be formed by using mixed KH550-m and KH560-m.•Powder interaction improves the critical powder loading and fluidity of feedstocks.•The shape retention of debinded parts increased by mixing of KH550-m and KH560-m.