8. Glossary

Debinding

Removal, by heat treatment or solvent action, of the binder present in a part previously obtained by shaping a mixture of metal or ceramic powder and polymer binder.

Solvatation; solvanting

Physico-chemical phenomenon observed when a chemical compound dissolves in a solvent.

Sintering

Thermal cycle consisting of heating the compacted part for a certain period of time to a temperature below the melting point. The rise in temperature causes the powder particles to weld together, diffusing the alloying elements through a solid-state diffusion mechanism.

Masterbatch; feedstock

A mixture of powder, organic binders and surfactants, suitable for use in an injection molding machine to manufacture a part.