Effects of Binders System on Sintered Properties of Metal Injection Molding Parts of M2 High Speed Steel

This paper reports on the compatibility of waste rubber binder combined with conventional binder, paraffin wax and local binder, palm stearin for M2 High Speed Steel injection molding in order to obtain the better properties. The feedstock was prepared at a powder loading of 65 vol.% using 22um M2 High Speed Steel powder and the binders consisting of 55wt.% paraffin wax/palm stearin, 21wt.% polyethylene, 14wt.% waste rubber and 10wt.% stearic acid. The specimens were then sintered in vacuum atmosphere within a temperature range from 1200°C to 1260°C. The results shown even the best properties is obtain from the conventional binders, paraffin wax, thus the properties of local binders palm stearin is still comparable and good. The maximum density of paraffin wax binder was 8.095g/cm3 achieved at temperature 1250°C and palm stearin binder was 8.111g/cm3 achieved at temperature 1240°C. Therefore, in term the best strength of paraffin wax was 2351Mpa whilst palm stearin was 2210MPa, both recorded at temperature 1230°C.