In order to study the effect of solvent extraction debinding variables on the shape maintenance of green molded bodies, powder compression molded bodies ( the feed) were debound in various organic solvents such as n-hexane, n-heptane and isooctane at various extraction temperatures ranging from 30 to 60degreesC. The solvent to feed ratio of dilution was studied in the range of 7: 1 to 15: 1 by weight. Finally the effect of extraction time on the amount of binder extracted and diffusion coefficient of paraffin wax was studied in the range of 1 to 5 h. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to confirm the extraction of the major binder and stearic acid constituents completely from the binder mixture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to see the pores in the green bodies created after solvent extraction process which allowing the degraded products ( minor binder) to diffuse to the surface easily. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.