Rheological Properties of Copper-Graphite MIM Feedstocks Prepared with Waste PET Binder

In this study, waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer binder systems were used to prepare copper-graphite metal injection molding (MIM) feedstock. A mixer and screw extrusion were used to achieve optimized feedstock, and the rheological properties of the resulting fluids were evaluated using a capillary rheometry to simulate the injection molding process. The solid loadings in the copper-graphite mixes were investigated in the ranges of 51-53% using PET binder system. The effects of shear rate (γ), solid volume fraction (φ) and temperature (T) on the rheological behavior of the copper/graphite MIM feedstocks are discussed.High viscosity trend was notably recorded as shear rate increased relatively. The results indicated that this feedstock system shows dilatant characteristic and lots of further work shall be conducted in attempt to establish this as an ideal binder system.