Metal injection molding is a technique of making metallic parts, which utilizes the process of powder metallurgy. Though the Stainless Steel Castings uses metals in powdered form, it is unlike the usual powder metal dispensation. Metal injection molding requires metallic powders to be ten to hundred times smaller in size, in comparison to powder metal processes. The final product in case of metal injection molding has a higher density. The benefits and features of metal injection molding are much like that of rubber and plastic molding, but the final product you get is much stronger. This technique is often used for producing surgical tools, components of firearms, hard disk drives for computers, electrical connectors and automotive locks.
Procedure for Metal Injection Molding
This procedure includes five steps, including the mixing, the injection molding, the de-binding, the sintering as well as the part finishing. This process is becoming more popular by the day.
The first step requires the mixing of metallic powders, which are recognized to be strong and possess inherent characteristics, like high-impact strength, wear resistance, hardness, machine ability and temperature characteristics. The binding agent is also added at this point. The purpose of mixing different metallic powders is always to derive a metallic compound which includes all of the positive characteristics of various metals, while eliminating their respective weaknesses.
Because of the mixing of powders, we receive what is known as feedstock, which is injected to the desired molds, as it is done in the case of rubber or plastic moldings. The factor that we get as a result of molding is called as green part.
The de-binding stage requires the immersion in the green part in water baths to remove the binder which has gone within the part matrix. During cross linking, the de-bounded green component is exposed to ultraviolet light, resulting to some thermo setting in the binding agents that were used among the metallic powders.
Following the binding stage is finished, the component is heated to your temperature of above 2000 ยบ Fahrenheit in a furnace. This method is called sintering, and it fuses the metallic parts to offer them an excellent shape. At the conclusion, the sintered components are delivered to the finishing stage for eliminating the imperfections and burrs. The component has become ready for dispatch.
Listed here are the main benefits of using the entire process of metal injection molding:
High complexity of shapes
Inexpensive
High density
High tolerances
High performance
This is a great technology whenever we want components using a complex shape and superior final characteristics. Such characteristics include high density, strength, and outstanding magnetic permeability, resistance to corrosion plus jzsbox connectivity, and high temperatures that can’t be achieved using light metallic alloys and plastics. This method is ideally employed for producing microelectronic packaging, actuators and sensors for automotives, hardware, hand tools, heat dissipation devices for computers, oil well drilling tools, engine fuel parts and many others.