Abstract: “Preparation of quality feedstock is critically important for production of quality product through metal injection molding (MIM). This study deals with the optimization of mixing parameters to ensure the homogeneity in feedstock of aluminum powder and high density polyethylene based binder. Experimental design and feedstock preparation was carried out considering three parameters such as powder concentration, mixing temperature and mixing speed. Feedstock rheological characteristic ‘viscosity’ was analyzed through alpha analytical rheometer. The Taguchi analysis was performed for this ‘viscosity’ to find the combination of optimum level of parameters. The results show that 58:42 powder-binder ratio, 120 0C mixing temperature and 43 rpm mixing speed give satisfactory quality of feedstock i.e. minimum feedstock viscosity. A well fit of the optimized parameters was observed through analysis of variance (ANOVA) with higher accuracy using a confidence level of 95%.”

Keywords: Metal injection molding, feedstock, optimization, viscosity.