Solvent debinding mechanism for alumina injection molded compacts with water-soluble binders

The solvent debinding process has been widely accepted in the ceramic injection molding (CIM) industry process due to its short debinding cycle. However, the organic solvents most adopted in solvent debinding now are flammable, carcinogenic and not environmentally acceptable. For eliminating the use of unsound solvents, water-soluble polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used in this study to modify the pattern of debinding in CIM. The purpose of the investigation was to examine the binder behavior during solvent debinding based on water extraction for a multi-component PEG binder system. Based on the in situ evaluation results of dimensional variations, mercury intrusion data and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, possible solvent debinding mechanism for alumina injection molded compacts with water-soluble binders is proposed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.