Powder Injection Molding Processing Using Corn-based Biopolymers

This program proposes to replace petroleum-based chemicals with formulations that are less expensive and safer to use in the environment. Critical to this goal is the incorporation of biopolymer additives require as binders for powder injection molding. Water soluble, cellulose-based polymers that have been processed from wood and cotton are also useful as binders in various ceramic manufacturing processes. In this proposal, we plan to use corn-based polymers that do not require mixing with petroleum distillates. We propose to investigate injection molding processing of electronic packaging material blends of aluminum and magnesium aluminum-silicate using biopolymer formulations of corn starch.