Powder Injection Molding of Ceria-Stabilized, Zirconia-Toughened Mullite Parts for UAV Engine Components

Powder injection molding (PIM) of ceria-stabilized, zirconia-toughened mullite composites were investigated in the present article with the goal of obtaining performance enhancement in complex geometries for energy and transportation applications. A powder-polymer mixture (feedstock) was developed and characterized to determine its suitability for fabricating complex components using the PIM process. Test specimens were injection molded and subsequently debound and sintered. The sintered properties indicated suitable properties for engine component applications used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The measured feedstock properties were used in computer simulations to assess the mold-filling behavior for a miniature turbine stator. The results from the measurements of rheological and thermal properties of the feedstock combined with the sintered properties of the ceria-stabilized, zirconia-toughened mullite strongly indicate the potential for enhancing the performance of complex geometries used in demanding operating conditions in UAV engines.