Metal Injection Molding (MIM Parts)

Nov. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- What is Metal Injection Molding?
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) combines the technologies of thermoplastic injection molding and powder metallurgy to produce complex-shaped, high density, high performance metal parts. Best applied to small parts (typically less than 100 grams), the MIM process offers lower cost solutions for numerous applications compared to machining or investment casting, and improved mechanical properties compared to plastic injection molding or zinc die casting.

Since the commercial beginnings of the Metal Injection Molding Process in the mid-1970's, the technology has matured and gained acceptance in numerous industries, including Automotive Systems, Medical and Dental Instruments, Orthodontics, Firearms, Hardware and Lock Components, and Computer and Electrical applications.

Benefits of the Metal Injection Molding Process
The benefits of the Metal Injection Molding process are best realized by considering the Metal Injection Molding manufacturing process during the initial design stage of the parts or assembly. The primary benefits include:

* Design Freedom - MIM offers design flexibility similar to plastic injection molding. Geometrically complex parts that cannot be produced using the conventional powder metal processes without secondary machining are possible using the MIM process.
* Enhanced Details - MIM provides intricate features such as dovetails, slots, undercuts, threads, and complex curved surfaces. MIM can produce cylindrical parts with greater length-to-diameter ratios.
* Reduced Assemblies – The MIM process can be used to combine two or more simpler shapes into a single, more complex component to minimize assembly costs.
* Reduced Waste/Machining - MIM's capability to provide net shape components eliminates many secondary machining operations.
* Improved Properties - MIM parts are typically 95% to 98% dense, approaching wrought material properties. MIM parts achieve greater strength, better corrosion resistance, and improved magnetic properties when compared to conventional powder metallurgy processes.
Customers requiring mechanical properties exceeding those available with plastic injection molded or die cast materials are turning to MIM. Metal Injection Molding also provides a cost-effective, automated alternative to the labor-intensive investment casting process. With highly complex geometries available, MIM is an effective alternative to complex machined components or intricate assemblies.

Metal Injection Molding excels at producing small, complex components that require thin, uniform cross sections (up to .250 inch). Thicker sections are typically limited by the high cost of the raw material, the difficulties involved in molding defect-free thick sections, and the ability to remove the binders effectively from the molded parts.

The economics of the MIM process favors higher annual part volumes. Although MIM can be a cost-effective solution for small, complex parts at lower volumes, the cost of molding tools discourages lower volume applications.

Limitations of the Metal Injection Molding Process
* Size – The economical part size is typically limited to less than 100 grams due to the cost of the fine metal powders used for MIM parts.
* Section Thickness – The maximum section thickness is generally kept to less than 0.25 inch to effectively remove the thermoplastic binder from the part without damage, and to control distortion during sintering,
* Tolerances – Typically +/- 0.5 percent, down to +/- 0.001 inch (0.025 mm) for very small dimensions. Tighter tolerances require secondary machining or grinding operations.
* Production Volume – Tooling costs generally limit the economic annual production volume to greater than 10,000 parts (with exceptions for very expensive parts).

Why JiangsuTech Specialties?
Stainless Steel - Leaders in Powder Metal stainless steel manufacturing.
Sintering Capability – Vacuum, Ceramic Belt, and Pusher style furnaces for high temperature batch and continuous sintering.
Quality Systems – Experienced, high volume automotive industry supplier with ISO 9000 and TS 16949 certifications.

Metal Injection Molding Applications
* Automotive Systems - Steering Columns (actuators, ignition lock components), Sun Roofs (stop cams), Seating Mechanisms, Solenoids, Fuel Injectors
* Orthodontics – Brackets, Buccal Tubes
* Medical and Dental Instruments – Endoscopic Surgical Instruments
* Firearm Components – Triggers, Sights, Safeties, Seer Blocks
* Ordnance – Guidance Fins
* Hardware and Lock Parts – Lock Cylinders, Bolts, and Sidebars
* Computers and Electronics – Disk Drive Components
* Electrical – Connectors, Switches

Metal Injection Molding Design Guidelines
Size – The economical part size is typically limited to less than 100 grams due to the cost of the fine metal powders used for MIM parts. Typically 1 to 20 micrometers in diameter (5 to 10 times smaller in diameter than those used for conventional powder metal parts), these fine metal powders are necessary to drive the shrinkage needed to densify the parts during sintering.
Section Thickness – The maximum section thickness is generally kept to less than 0.25 inch to remove the thermoplastic binder effectively without causing internal damage to the part. Uniformity of section thickness throughout the part aids in preventing cracks, sink marks, and distortion during sintering,
Details - MIM can accommodate intricate design features such as dovetails, slots, undercuts, threads, and complex curved surfaces.
Length-to-Diameter Ratio - MIM can produce cylindrical parts with greater length-to-diameter ratios compared to conventional powder metal processing.
Fixturing – The availability of a surface somewhere on the part that can support the part through the debinding and sintering operations without special fixturing simplifies the process and positively affects the economics of the part.

Metal Injection Molding Materials Available from JiangsuTech Specialties
Stainless Steels - 304L, 316L, Duplex, 17-4PH, 430L, 440C
Low Alloy Steels – Iron-Nickel (Fe-2Ni), 4600
Soft Magnetic Alloys – Iron, Iron-Silicon (Fe-3Si) Electrical Steel, Iron-Nickel (50Ni-50Fe)
Low Thermal Expansion Alloys - F15, Alloy 36, Alloy 42
Custom Blends

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Process
The Metal Injection Molding process is a multi-stage process that converts fine metal powders into near full density, high strength metal components. MIM competes with cast, wrought, and machined metal components on the basis of both manufacturing cost effectiveness and material properties. The process consists of mixing fine metal powders with thermoplastic binders to form a feedstock which is injection molded into a closed mold. After ejection from the mold, the thermoplastic “binders” are chemically or thermally removed from the part so that the part can be sintered to high density. During the sintering process, the individual particles metallurgically bond together as material diffusion occurs to remove most of the porosity left by the removal of the binder. The sintering process shrinks the part, providing a net shape that can be used as-is or further worked to add additional features or improve tolerances.

For more information,pls vist http://www.jiangsutech.com .

# # #

one of the leading metal parts suppliers in China specializing in metal injection molding for many years