The effects of various surfactants on the dispersive and rheological properties of ZrO2 and MgO mixtures in heptane, melt wax and feedstocks were investigated. Several properties of the mixtures were tested to reveal the stabilization in various non-polar binder systems. The feedstocks which contained the surfactant (FP1) with an ester function group produced the highest critical solid loading (56.6 vol%) and least dimensional variation (<0.07%) among five formulations, either choosing from SA, FP1 or NZ38 surfactant. The sintered PSZ (partially stabilized zirconia) samples could reach 99% theoretical density (T.D.) and an average fracture strength of 345 MPa. Dual surfactants, containing FP1 and SA, were also tested, resulting in feedstocks better in rheological properties and homogeneity. The surfactant FP1 apparently improved the homogeneity of the powders in the feedstocks, and consequently refined the properties of parts in the stages of injection molding and sintering.

Keywords: Mg-PSZ, surfactant, feedstock, dispersion, homogeneity