Flow behavior of unsaturated polyester resin—Microsized 17‐4PH stainless steel powder—Feedstocks

Abstract For the realization of stainless steel parts carrying either surface relief microstructures or possessing dimensions in submillimeter‐range the different variants of micro injection molding are suitable replication techniques, followed by thermal postprocessing like debinding and sintering. With respect to warpage‐free sintered parts the initial solid load in the feedstock should be as large as possible. A reduction of the binder viscosity enables a reduction of the feedstock viscosity; hence, larger solid loads can be achieved. Using an unsaturated polyester binder, diluted with different amounts of the reactive thinner styrene, feedstocks with a solid content up to 46 vol% were realized. The influence of the filler on the feedstock viscosity, the maximum accessible load and the flow activation energy was investigated intensely. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers