METHOD FOR FORMING HOLLOW ARTICLE

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new method for manufacturing a metal/ceramic article having a complicated internal undercut structure by using a powder injection molding(PIM) method. SOLUTION: The shape of an undercut/hollow structure is first molded by using a disposable material 11, such as degradable polymer. Then a PIM material 21 is molded on the above to form a desired geometric shape where the polymer structure 11 is contained in the PIM material 21. Subsequently, the resultant component composed of two kinds of materials is transferred to undergo polymer-removing treatment by means of solvent or heat treatment. After the removal of the polymer and binder, the component 21 has a structure composed of a powder skeleton containing the internal undercut structure inside. After sintering, the metal/ceramic component having the internal undercut structure can be obtained.