Metal Injection Molding Introduction

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a forming process suitable for the production of small, three-dimensional complex shapes and products with specific performance requirements. MIM technology is the introduction of modern plastic injection molding technology into a powder metallurgy to be a new forming technology.

The basic processes are: 1, Combine a variety of fine metal powder (usually less than 20μm) according to a certain proportion and the default binder, made with the rheological properties to be the feed. Put the feed into the injection mold cavity in the injection molding machine and form the blanks. After degreasing and high temperature sintering, then get the metal parts.

What is the ideal MIM metal powder?

Powder particle size, tap density, and particle shape are key performance parameters that determine whether a powder can be successfully used in MIM processes. MIM process requires very fine raw material powder (~ 10μm), in order to ensure uniform dispersion, good rheological properties and a large sintering rate.

Metal powder microstructure (* 2500 times)

The ideal MIM powder is: powder particle size 2 ~ 8μm; bulk density of 40% ~ 50%; tap density of 50% or more; powder particles near spherical, larger than the surface.

At present, MIM metal powder raw materials include iron, nickel, titanium, stainless steel, precious metals, super alloys and other materials, as well as to the diversification of development, such as structural materials, functional materials, magnetic materials etc..

The main methods for producing MIM powder are: carbonyl, ultra-high pressure water atomization, high pressure gas atomization, plasma atomization and laminar flow atomization. Different powder preparation techniques have different effects on the particle size, particle shape, microstructure, chemical properties, and manufacturing cost of the powder.