|
Alloy selection: The most commonly used elements in MIM processing are
iron, nickel, chromium & molybdenum. Iron and nickel are two of the easiest
elements to process due to their compatible melt temperature and ease of
sintering. Iron-nickel alloys make up over 50% of the total tonnage used
in the MIM industry.
Binder elimination: All residual binder is eliminated in the sintering process.
The binder elements are all hydrocarbons and final testing of sintered material
for carbon and hydrogen show only minute traces of these elements.
Typical MIM Fe-2% Ni microstructure; note the small,
isolated porosity in this
nearly full dense, homogeneous, isotropic
cross section.
A partial listing of NetShape—MIM alloys:
|
Stainless Steels:
|
|
|
17-4PH
|
Best combination of strength and corrosion resistance
|
|
316
|
Excellent corrosion resistance
|
|
420
|
High hardness
|
| |
|
|
Low alloy steels:
|
|
|
2200
|
Similar to PM FN-0200; good magnetic, toughness properties
|
|
4605
|
Heat treatable high-strength steel, up to HRC 52
|
|
4140
|
Heat treatable high-strength steel, up to HRC 60
|
|
|
|
|
Superalloys:
|
|
|
Hastelloy X
|
Good oxidation resistance, high-temperature strength
|
|
Inconel 625
|
Excellent corrosion and heat resisting characteristics
|
|
|
|
|
Controlled Expansion Alloys:
|
|
|
Fe-Ni
|
The alloy composition (i.e. Invar, Alloy 42, etc.) can be tailored for the application’s thermal expansion requirement
|
|
F15
|
a.k.a. Kovar®, the alloy is engineering for hermetic glass-metal seals
|
|
|
|
|
High Density Alloys:
|
|
|
W-based
|
High temperature sintering capability allows various tungsten-nickel-iron alloy capability. Sintered densities range up to 18 g/cc.
|
|
|
|
|
Soft Magnetic Alloys:
|
|
|
Fe-Si
|
Silicon content up to 9% allows for high resistivity with good soft
magnetic response
|
|
Fe-Co
|
Excellent magnetic saturation properties
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
