Detailed Product Description

MIM Technology

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) technology combines the shape making capabilities of plastic injection molding with the material flexibility of powder metallurgy. Taking advantage of unique process capabilities, it allows one complex geometry or co-molding and bonding dissimilar materials. Combining fine metal powders with a binder system, components are injection molded, de-bound and sintered, resulting in high-density, complex, precisely-shaped parts exhibiting properties approaching that of wrought material. Alloy and stainless steel, as well as other non-ferous alloys such as titanium, are common materials for MIM.
MIM is used by many industries , such as medical device, telecom, electronics and automotive parts manufacturers, and is a viable and cost effective alternative to other types of metal processes, such as machining and casting. The MIM process is particularly well suited for the high-volume manufacture of relatively small, complex components requiring high strength, high performance and cost efficiency.

MIM Process

1. FEEDSTOCK. The metal powder is mixed with thermoplastic binders to produce a homogeneous feedstock; with approximately 60 volume % metal powder and 40 volume % binders.

2. INJECTION MOLDING. The feedstock is placed into an injection molder and

molded to form a net shape green part. Injection molding occurs at relatively low temperatures and pressures inconventional plastic injection molding machines. The molds are similar to those used for plastic injection molding including slides and multi-cavity configurations.

3. DEBINDING. After injection molding , the binder is removed from the green part via an evaporative process called debinding.

4. SINTERING. After debinding the part is sintered to form a high-density metal part.Sintering occurs at high temperatures, up to 1260 °C (2300 °F), near the melting point of the metal; under a dry H2 atmosphere or inert gas atmosphere. During sintering, the part will shrink isotropically to form a dense shape. Since, the complex shape of the molded part is retained through the process, close tolerances in the as-sintered part can be achieved. Scrap is eliminated or significantly reduced since machining of the part after sintering is usually not necessary. Certainly, the sintered part can be processed with heat treatment, machining or other means to achieve some special performance.

Advantages of MIM

High Shape Complexity: MIM process can produce more complex parts than either investment casting or traditional press and sinter techniques.

Low Cost: Machining operations can be eliminated.

Tight Tolerances: Dimensions of parts produced with our feedstock can be held to +/- 0.001~0.002" per inch.

High Density: MIM parts produced with our feedstock will have density levels between 97.5-99.5%. These l levels typically exceed traditional press and sinter techniques.

High Performance: The tensile strengths, elongations and hardness are superior to traditional press and sinter techniques, and comparable to investment casting or machine components.

Typical Mechanical Properties of MIM Alloys

Application