On amine treated polyoxymethylene (POM) blends with low formaldehyde emission for metal injection moulding (MIM)

When polyoxymethylene (POM)—a common polymer used in metal injection moulding feedstock—is exposed to heat and oxygen during compounding, it can be easily decomposed, releasing undesired gaseous formaldehyde products. In order to reduce the formaldehyde emission from POM, amine treatment was performed. The effectiveness of propylamine at different concentrations and its role as a formaldehyde scavenger was studied via the UV–vis Spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infra-red, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and melt flow index. The results proved that a simple amine, such as propylamine, is a promising candidate for scavenging formaldehyde in POM. It is also demonstrated that the best concentration of propylamine is 2 wt.% (POM-PA2) with a minimum formaldehyde emission of 1.44 mg/L. Further, when used in formulating metal injection moulding feedstock (MIM), the POM-PA2 reveals good rheological properties and high green strength. These advantages make the modified polyoxymethylene (POM-PA2) a promising binder system for MIM feedstock.