The effects of nanoparticle addition on binder removal from injection molded aluminum nitride

The effects of nanoparticle addition on the multi-step debinding of injection molded aluminum nitride (AlN) samples were studied. Experiments varying the solvent debinding conditions (time, temperature and aspect ratio) were performed on monomodal, microscale (μ) and bimodal, micro-nanoscale (μ-n) AlN samples. Variations in the solvent debinding kinetics as a result of the reduced particle size and increased powder content were examined. The bimodal μ-n AlN samples showed a slower solvent extraction of binder components compared to monomodal μ-AlN samples. The activation energy for solvent extraction estimated from diffusion coefficients (Arrhenius equation) was in close agreement with the value estimated by the master debinding curve (MDC) method. An activation value around 50kJ/mol was estimated by both the methods for μ and μ-n AlN samples. The thermal debinding behavior of dewaxed samples was also studied and the trends correlated with the solvent debinding behavior. ► Effect of nanoparticles on solvent extraction of injection molded AlN is studied. ► μ-n AlN samples showed a slower solvent extraction of binder compared to μ-AlN. ► Activation energy near 50kJ/mol was estimated for solvent extraction. ► The thermal debinding behavior correlated with solvent extraction observations.