Dilatometric analysis of thermal debinding of injection moulded iron compacts

The less than desired tolerance control of powder injection moulded compacts is a result of inconsistent dimensional changes in the compacts accumulated during moulding, debinding, and sintering. This study investigated the in situ length changes and their causes during thermal debinding on compacts which have been solvent debound. The dilatometric analysis showed that the specimen shrank in the early stage between 250 and 370°C, not because of sintering, but through the loss of N, C, and 0 in the carbonyl iron powder. At temperatures between 370 and 450°C, the specimen expanded owing to the carburisation of the iron powder. The length change was also influenced by the heating rate, debinding atmosphere, and the amount of the backbone binder. These dilatometric results are helpful in establishing the guidelines in designing binder compositions and debinding schedules.