Finite Element Analysis of PIM Filling Process with Slip Characterization of Powder-Binder Mixtures

Powder Injection Molding (PIM) filling process is one of the key processes towards a successful PIM. In this regard, the methods of slip characterization of powder-binder mixtures and a quasi-3-dimensional finite element simulation program based on Hele-Shaw approximation has been presented.In contrast to conventional injection molding of thermoplastics, there are many PIM parts that include thick regions. To simulate such thick PIM parts properly, a full 3-dimensional simulation program is needed. In this regard, we have been developing a full 3-dimensional finite element program for PIM filling process with the slip phenomena taken into account. For a computational efficiency, a pre-meshed finite element mesh was used with a scalar fill-factor to automatically update the computational domain during the filling.