What is MIM?
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a variation on traditional plastic injection molding that enables the fabrication of solid metal parts utilizing injection molding technology. In this process, the raw material, referred to as the feedstock, is a powder mixture of metal and polymer. For this reason, MIM is sometimes referred to as Powder Injection Molding (PIM). Using a standard injection molding machine, the powder is melted and injected into a mold, where it cools and solidifies into the shape of the desired part. Subsequent heating processes remove the unwanted polymer and produce a high-density metal part.
Metal injection molding is best suited for the high-volume production of small metal parts. As with injection molding, these parts may be geometrically complex and have thin walls and fine details. The use of metal powders enables a wide variety of ferrous and non ferrous alloys to be used and for the material properties (strength, hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.) to be close to those of wrought metals. Also, because the metal is not melted in the MIM process (unlike metal casting processes), high temperature alloys can be used without any negative affect on tool life.
The metal injection moulding (MIM) process offers the following advantages: Cost-effective manufacture of high volume complex parts. Reduced production time compared with investment casting. Net-shape manufacture with minimal material waste (runners, sprues recyclable in-house): more significant as materials costs rise.
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Metal injection molding (MIM) is a manufacturing process that combines the most useful characteristics of powdered metallurgy and plastic injection molding to facilitate the production of small, complex-shaped metal components with outstanding mechanical properties.
Adopted by a variety of industries MIM manufacturing is well-suited to produce medium to high volume components by increasing the number of mold cavities. Ideal candidates include those that weigh less than 100 grams, have complex geometries and tight tolerances, and can fit in the palm of your hand.
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