Rheological properties of alumina injection feedstocks

Abstract

The rheological behavior of alumina molding feedstocks containing polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylbutyral (PVB) and stearic acid (SA) and having different powder loads were analyzed using a capillary rheometer. Some of the feedstocks showed a pseudoplastic behavior of n < 0, which can lead to the appearance of weld lines on molded parts. Their viscosity also displayed a strong dependence on the shear rate. The slip phenomenon, which can cause an unsteady front flow, was also observed. The results indicate that the feedstock containing a lower powder load displayed the best rheological behavior. The 55 vol. % powder loaded feedstock presented the best rheological behavior, thus appearing to be more suitable than the formulation containing a vol. 59% powder load, which attained viscosities exceeding 103 Pa.s at low shear rates, indicating its unsuitability for injection molding.