| |
 
 |
|
| |
|
|
Key Attributes
- MIM is a repeatable process for complex components made from high-temperature alloys.
- MIM parts are near fully dense, which gives excellent mechanical, magnetic, corrosion and hermetic sealing properties, & allows secondary operations like plating, heat treating, & machining to be easily performed.
- The shrinkage from molded parts to sintered parts is high (14-18%) but isotropic & controllable.
- Complex shapes are achieved through tooling techniques used in the plastic injection molding industry. High volumes are attained through multi-cavity tooling.
Criteria for Typical MIM Parts
- High melting point alloys (ferrous & higher).
- Complex shapes (can’t be stamped, screw machined, made in
powder metal, etc.).
- Relatively small components (<100 grams best) due to price of MIM
powders & cost of thermal processing.
- Cross-sectional thicknesses of 7 mm or less. MIM tooling can often
be designed to reduce cross-sectional thicknesses without
sacrificing component performance.
- Part volume high enough to amortize tooling.
- Geometry suitable to be made through standard plastic injection
molding tooling.
- Relatively low-cost prototyping available for
simple shapes.
|
|
|
|
|
