Overview of Metal Injection Molding
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) utilises a plastic injection molding machine to form precision engineered geometries. The is accomplished using metal and/or ceramic powder in connection with a thermoplastic binder system.The commercialisation of MIM occurred only a few decades ago. It was first used in the 1920s, and a few current application strike their origins back to the 1960s. However, up to the 1990s, MIM lacked the required infrastructure for broad success.However, the process has rapidly grown into a cost-effective manufacturing solution for design that are not viable produced via conventional forming technologies. At present, MIM is a reliable manufacturing process that offers a high degree of design flexibility in association with cost savings. Accelerated growth the number and size of application in recent times has generated much attention on the technology. MIM excels in application that require shape complexity and demanding final mechanical magnetic, thermal, chemical, and electrical properties. Injection folded metals and ceramics offer finished properties not possible via plastics or light metal alloys.
The Key Steps
1. Preparing the feedstock — Mixing the primary raw materials of metal/ceramic powders and a thermoplastic binder.
2. Injection molding — Net shape parts are formed in an injection molding process, similar to the forming of plastic parts.
3. Binder removal — This steps serves to obtain parts with an interconnected pore network without destroying the net shape of the part itself.
4. Sintering — The sintering process lead to the elimination of most of the pore volume formally occupied by the blinder.
Additional secondary operations (i.e. Coating, machining) may be performed on the sintered product to complete the fabrication process.
In Summary
Many objects we encounter in everyday life such as cars, mobile phones, watches, domestic appliance, surgical tools etc contains MIM parts. The typical MIM product combines a relative small size, highly complex shape alongside high performance manufactured at high volumes.
About Us
AMTMIM is a fully integrated MIM parts producer with capabilities and proficiency in design, tooling, materials and a full range of finishing and assembly operations. If there is any inquiry, do not hesitate to contact us: www.amtmim.com
