Properties of metal injection molded products using titanate-containing binders

MIM parts usually require a green strength high enough to withstand handling, particularly after molding and before sintering. Thus, it is necessary to develop a binder system that can provide a high green strength without impairing molding and debinding properties. In this study, a titanate coupling agent was evaluated as a processing aid. The results showed that a higher green strength and a lower amount of swelling during solvent debinding were attained. Due to the presence of Ti atoms in the coupling agent, the sintered density and hardness also increased slightly. Scanning electron microscope observations confirmed that the presence of the titanate coupling agent resulted in improved bonding between the metal powder and the binder.