FAQ
Here you will find answers to many common questions about our products. We continue to add to this FAQ as new questions arise. In the meantime, please contact us by phone or at servicepoint@embe-products.com.
Please select a topic from the list below.
I. DEBINDING OF INJECTION MOLDED PARTS
- DEBINDING IN WATER OR IN A SOLVENT
- TERMAL DEBINDING
II. FEEDSTOCK PROCESSING
III. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS
I. DEBINDING OF INJECTION MOLDED PARTS
DEBINDING IN WATER OR IN A SOLVENT
1. What is required for water debinding of injection-molded parts?
A water bath is sufficient for initial tests. For production-grade work, a tank with a circulatory system and a temperature control (if required) should be used. The tank should have an inlet and a lockable discharge.
2. What should be the temperature of the water during debinding?
We recommend a water temperature of 30 °C.
3. How does the powder affect the speed of the debinding process?
Poor grain size distribution or unfavorable powder qualities can actually render water debinding impossible. On this point, see FAQ 4.
4. What powdered raw materials are unsuitable for water debinding?
Unsuitable raw materials include those that react chemically with water or which swell up when exposed to water.
5. What grain size distribution is best for an injection-molded powder?
It is best to select powders with a monomodal grain size distribution. For practical purposes, process powders have a narrow range of size distribution with neither coarse (>40 µm) nor fine (<1 µm) particles.
6. Which materials should be debound in ethanol – which in water?
As a rule, always check to see whether molded parts can be debound using water. This is both safe and cheaper in terms of plant equipment. Debinding using ethanol is to be preferred if the powdered raw materials react chemically with water, or if there is a danger that water-based corrosion may occur.
7. Can normal tap water be used for the debinding process?
Clean tap water can be utilized for the water debinding process.
TERMAL DEBINDING
1. What safety precautions should be observed for thermal residual debinding?
Thermal debinding involves the release of vapours that are both flammable and strongly odorous. Accordingly, the operator must ensure that adequate extraction systems are in place. Exhaust gas afterburners may also be required. Observe the appropriate regulations in such scenarios.
2. What is the maximum permissible concentration of organic vapours in the debinding furnace?
To ensure levels are kept below the lower explosive limit, concentrations of 30 g per m³ air should never be exceeded.
3. Would it be wise to install exhaust gas afterburners?
We would always recommend you do this if the debinding facility is to run continuously. Gas- or electrically-heated plants are recommended, depending on the design of the debinding furnace. Equipment can also be obtained with catalytic afterburners.
4. What is the procedure for thermal debinding in the absence of air?
Without air, organic vapours cannot be removed by oxidation: components are thus debound only thermally and form part of the exhaust stream along with the carrier gas. We recommend processing this stream with afterburners.
5. Can I utilize a vacuum furnace for the thermal debinding process?
Yes, although you should ensure that a condensation trap is used to collect and condense the organic vapours. When using a partial vacuum, you can use a carrier gas to transport the vapours as part of the exhaust.
II. FEEDSTOCK PROCESSING
1. What is the maximum processing temperature for Embemould feedstocks?
You should not exceed temperatures of 170°C.
III. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS
1. Where are eMBe products available?
eMBe exclusively sells all products worldwide through its location in Thierhaupten, Germany.
2. What is the shelf life of a feedstock?
When stored in a cool, dry place, feedstocks can be kept almost indefinitely. We therefore do not actually specify a shelf life. However, we recommend that you process the products within 2 years.
3. How many times can a feedstock be re-used?
Our experience shows us that Embemould feedstocks can be used several times. This permits the re-use of sprues and defective parts. We recommend pulverizing such components with a slow-running mill and then mixing them proportionally with the feedstock powder. The exact proportions will depend on the number of sprues and defective parts.
4. Can sprues and defective molded parts be re-used?
Yes. These should be pulverized to a size roughly equivalent to the powder grain size and can then be processed normally.
5. Is it possible to modify Licomont EK 583 and Embemould C by the use of additives?
We can recommend suitable products that can alter certain properties in the injection-molded part (green strength, elasticity, solubility). While these are not part of our portfolio, we would be happy to advise you in this area.
6. Are Embemould feedstocks also suitable for extrusion?
Yes. Pipes or sections can be manufactured via extrusion. The molding parameters will need to be adjusted.
7. Can eMBe products be used in process variants, e.g. coextrusion, multicomponent injection moulding?
Very promising developments have been carried out for these applications with our products. However, no conclusive experiences exist, which give us reason to recommend the use of our products. The use of our products occurs at your own risk.
8. Can eMBe binders and eMBe products be used for the targeted creation of porous structures?
Yes. Here we can offer an organic base product that can be added as a filler to the feedstock formulation as required.
9. Can eMBe products be used for the production of high-purity products made of ceramic or metal?
The achievable purity is determined by the purity of the raw materials, the contamination by system parts in the process chain and by our customers’ individual modes of operation in their companies.
eMBe products are manufactured with raw materials of high technical quality and are therefore suitable for numerous applications. Nevertheless, the user must always check in the individual case, whether eMBe products are suitable for his requirements. Upon request, interested users can receive information about typical concentrations of trace elements. As our raw material suppliers do not specify these values in detail, we cannot provide our customers with any specification.
eMBe rejects any warranty in case of damage or failure. Cf. also our General Terms and Conditions.
10. Can eMBe products be used for medical implants, military products, safety components in motor vehicles, components for aviation and aeronautics?
eMBe cannot make any recommendation for the use of its products in the aforementioned fields of application.
The use of the products in military products or in weapons technology is expressly not supported by us.
eMBe shall never assume any responsibility or warranty for these fields of application using our products.
Disclaimer:
The data contained in this FAQ are based on our current knowledge and experience. All formulas and recommendations are non-binding. Every user of our products is responsible at all times for the observation of legal stipulations, especially those relating to patent rights and accidents insurance. It is the responsibility of the user of the product to ensure to his satisfaction that the product is suitable for the intended purpose and method of use. We do not accept responsibility for any harm caused by the use of this information. In all cases, our general conditions of sale apply.
We expressly prohibit the illegal use of our products and the use of the products for direct or indirect damage or harm to people and the environment.
