Debinding process for removing an organic binder from a powder compact

摘要

A process of debinding a powder compact formed from a mixture of a sinterable powder and an organic binder utilizes a furnace for heating therein the powder compact at a pressure lower than an atmospheric pressure in order to remove an excess amount of the organic binder. A control is made to vary the furnace pressure and/or a heating rate in accordance with a monitored parameter so as to effectively and successfully removed an excess amount of the organic binder which would cause an unacceptable defect in a finished product. The parameter is selected as indicative of a condition of the furnace or a cracked gas being generated by decomposition of the organic binder, and includes, for example, a furnace temperature, density, volume, or the other measurable characteristics of the cracked gas.