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Abstract
A stainless steel (316L) powder having a median particle size of ∼25 μm was injection moulded using binders composed of polyethylene glycols (PEG) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The PEG content was leached in water and debinding kinetics studied as a function temperature. At 40°C, the removal of PEG was controlled by dissolution of the polymer in water and by diffusion of water and PEG for leaching time <60 min and >60 min, respectively. Water soluble PEG was completely removed within 180 min and the diffusion mechanism controlled the de-binding process at 60 and 80°C. Sintered properties improved with increased sintering temperature and time. The improvement in mechanical properties was less pronounced for a longer soaking time owing to more grain coarsening.