Compatibility of CIM feedstocks with 3D-printed single-use polymer molds

The invention of single-use 3D-printed polymer molds potentially enables the design freedom and high pace of additive manufacturing without compromising the wide material selection of injection molding. For ceramic injection molding (CIM) feedstocks, the processing parameters are largely determined by the binder system employed.

Several types of binder systems exist, requiring different treatments during the production process. The exact composition of a specific feedstock is often proprietary, as many CIM part providers produce their own feedstocks in-house. This paper documents the process performance of 3D-printed polymer molds with three different types of injection molding feedstocks in terms of finished part integrity, dimensions and surface finish.