POWDER INJECTION MOLDING METHOD OF GLASS AND GLASS-CERAMICS

• Main Authors: GARNER, SEAN, M, COSTELLO, JOHN, J., III, COONAN, EVERETT, W, MONAHAN, BETH, C, QUESADA, MARK, A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 24.09.2008
• Subjects: CHEMISTRY; GLASS; MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES; METALLURGY; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL

A method for producing glass or glass ceramic articles by powder injection molding of glass powder includes mixing together, in a continuous mixing process, ingredients to form a mixture comprising a glass powder and a binder, where the ingredients include a glass powder in a relative amount sufficient to equal at least 50% by volume of the resulting mixture and a binder comprising a thermoplastic polymer, desirably a thermoplastic elastomer, and a wax; forming the mixture into a formed structure; and de-binding and sintering the formed structure. The method desirably involves mixing via a high intensity mixing process, desirably by mixing in a twin-screw extruder. The forming process may include pelletizing the mixture and injection molding the pelletized mixture to form the formed structure. The ingredients of the mixture desirably comprise a glass powder in a relative amount sufficient to equal at least 70% by volume of the resulting mixture. The glass powder desirably includes at least some glass particles having irregular shapes.