Qualification methods of Al2O3 injection molding raw materials

Abstract

For producing ceramic arc tube parts (plugs), there are used two different major components for producing injection molding raw material (feedstock): high purity alumina powder as the main component, and an organic paraffin wax as a binder material. It is expressly important to know the material, physical and chemical properties of these components, since mainly these have effect on the homogenity of feedstock, and therefore on the quality of end product. In this research, both of the main components and the moldable raw material was investigated by visual, physical, and thermal methods. As most important and main statement, the researchers found that the dynamic viscosity of raw material depends more on the applied temperature, than on the deformation speed gradient. Applied analitycal methods were laser granulometry, sieve analysis, differential thermal analysis and rheology analysis.