Densification and grain growth of stainless steel microsize structures fabricated by μmIM

Micro metal injection molding (μMIM) is being developed by some researchers for possible mass production of metallic microcomponents. Knowledge of densification and grain growth of structures in the micrometer regime is important for the design of microcomponents due to their impacts on dimensional tolerance and mechanical properties. In this paper, the effects of sintering temperature and time on densification and grain growth of stainless steel microsize structures fabricated by μMIM were investigated. In particular, the density of the microsize structures was compared with that of the components, dimensions in the millimeter range, on which the microsize structures reside. Models proposed by Kang, Brook, and Zhao and Harmer were used to study the densification and grain growth kinetics of microsize structures of φ100μmat the final stage of sintering. Dense layers were formed on the microsize structures. Thus, the density of the microsize structures is higher than that of the microstructured components. The thickness of the dense layers increased with either increasing temperature or time. Zhao and Harmer's model for lattice diffusion controlled densification and Brook's grain growth model for lattice diffusion controlled pore drag exhibited good fits for the experimental results of microsize structures.