Sintering distortions? Multi-Modal powder is your solution !

Gravity is both friend and foe ! If you tried to sinter a component with overhanging OR unsupported sections, you most probably got frustrated with the distortions during sintering.

Well, we figured out a solution for this issue. We carefully formulated a powder recipe with particles size distribution (PSD) optimized to pack more material within the given space during binder-jet 3D printing process. Unlike conventional powder PSD where the particle size distribution follows usual normal distribution curve, our premium powders have carefully orchestrated PSD which can be termed as multi-modal. You will see multiple normal distributions within the spectrum.

Such an arrangement allows you to fit in more particles in the spaces, otherwise would have been empty space. Such close packing would support the green structure better and promotes the necking process at sintering process start earlier. It is the time between when all the binders gone and when the necking process start, that causes distortion on the component during sintering process. This is where the gravity tends to win! Early start of necking process reduced this time and hence the sintering distortion.

Denser packing also reduces shrinkage during sintering process significantly. We can achieve ~ 12% shrinkage using multi-modal powder VS ~ 20% shrinkage using normal powder. Lower sintering shrinkage also means lesser friction between the staging tray surface and the component surface. Hence you also get bonus advantage on reducing the distortion coming from friction.

So, overall multimodal powder for binder-jet process is a winning proposition. Wait for announcements on market release of this premium version of the powders for Binder-Jet applications.

Contact : IndoUS@Indo-MIM.com / InfoEU@Indo-MIM.com / InfoHQ@Indo-MIM.com