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MIM Process
Metal injection molding (MIM) is a typical interdisciplinary product, which is a new metal component near net forming processing technology formed by introducing modern plastic injection molding technology into the field of powder metallurgy. It is a rapidly developing high-tech in the field of powder metallurgy and industry in recent years.. Enable designers to break free from traditional constraints and obtain low-cost, special-shaped stainless steel, nickel, iron, copper, titanium, and other metal parts through plastic molding, thus having greater design freedom than many other production processes.
MIM Process Materials
| Material system | Alloy grade and composition | application area |
|---|---|---|
| Kovar alloy (4J29) | Fe-Ni-Co | Communication, electronic packaging, military industry |
| Low alloy steel | Fe-2Ni, Fe-8Ni | various structural components in industries such as automotive and machinery |
| Stainless steel | 304 316L, 17-4PH 420 440 | professional instruments and watch parts |
| Hard alloy | WC Co | various cutting tools, clocks, watches |
| Tungsten alloy | W-Ni Fe, W-Ni Cu, W-Cu | military industry, communication, daily necessities |
| Magnetic materials | Fe, Fe14 Nd2B, SmCo5 | various magnetic components |
Industrial Advantages Of MIM
1. The geometric shape of the components has high degrees of freedom, allowing for the production of complex metal components through one-time forming;
2. MIM products have uniform density and good smoothness, with a surface roughness of Ra 0.80-1.6 μ m and a weight range of 0.1-200g. High dimensional accuracy (± 0.1%~± 0.3%), generally without the need for subsequent processing;
3. Wide range of applicable materials, wide application fields, high utilization rate of raw materials, high degree of production automation, simple process, and the ability to achieve continuous large-scale production;
4. The product has stable quality and reliable performance. The relative density of the product can reach 95% to 99%, and it can be subjected to heat treatment such as carburization, quenching, and tempering. The product has high mechanical properties such as strength, hardness, and elongation, good wear resistance, fatigue resistance, and uniform organization;
MIM
MIM Design Orientation
MIM allows for free design of three-dimensional shapes, similar to injection molding. Due to the need for injection, complex shaped products can be formed, which is beneficial for product weight reduction and saves raw materials to achieve the goal of final product weight reduction. This makes MIM one of the ideal ways to combine more than one independent part into a multifunctional part.
A wall thickness of less than 10 millimeters is more suitable for MIM, and a thicker outer wall is also acceptable. However, to avoid excessive cliff wall thickness, Suzhou Chuanghongxu can achieve products with extremely thin walls of 0.2mm (but it depends on the specific shape of the product)
The near net forming accuracy of MIM is usually ± 0.2% – ± 0.5% of the size. Like other technologies, high precision means higher costs, so it is recommended to moderately relax dimensional tolerances while meeting usage requirements. The tolerances that MIM cannot directly meet can be achieved through subsequent processing.
MIM is suitable for components weighing less than 100 grams, with less than 50 grams being the most common application. Raw materials are a key cost factor in the MIM process. In the early stages of MIM product design, the weight of components is often minimized as much as possible. Like plastic products, the weight of components can be reduced through the core and bracket without affecting product integrity. MIM excels in extremely small and micro components, with a maximum weight of less than 0.1 grams, such as micro gears.
For MIM products, the mold and early product development process are necessary for the MIM process, so for small batch products (with an annual demand of less than a few thousand pieces), it usually affects the decision-making process. The increase of MIM from a small production of tens of thousands of pieces per year to a production of tens of millions of pieces can be achieved very economically.
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