Metal Injection Molding To Promote The Industrialization Of Powder Metallurgy Made A Breakthrough

In the process of understanding the powder metallurgy technology, we came into contact with metal injection molding process, did not expect it completely different from the ordinary forming technology, in the mass manufacture of complex geometry, high performance, high precision parts must have no difficulty, So as to promote the industrialization of powder metallurgy business to make a breakthrough.

Powder metallurgy companies in the metal powder injection molding time, in addition to the need to prepare the appropriate processing of the corresponding powder, but also need to add more powder to the binder. Therefore, either powder or binder should meet the requirements, otherwise it will affect the forming of powder metallurgy products.

The powder should be used ≤ 10um ultrafine spherical powder, and from the mixture to degreasing, sintering, the process is more complex, demanding processes, in particular, require longer degreasing and sintering time, which is also caused by the manufacturing cost of powder metallurgy High main reason. The adhesive wolf must be adequate, otherwise, it is difficult to achieve the corresponding performance.

This powder metallurgy company developed a simplified method is flow pressure forming technology, which is the temperature and pressure of metal powder, based on the combination of the advantages of metal powder injection molding process; and then by adding the right amount of coarse powder and fine Powder, and increase the amount of thermoplastic lubricant, thereby greatly improving the mixed powder flowability, filling and formability.

Since the mixed powder becomes a viscous fluid with good fluidity during pressing, it not only has the advantages of a liquid but also has a high viscosity and reduces the friction force, so that the pressing pressure is evenly distributed in the powder, Very good delivery. Because of this, the powder can flow to every corner without cracks during the pressing process, so that the density is also greatly improved.

At present, the powder metallurgy enterprise has already popularized this technology and used for precision forming of the workpieces with very complicated shapes on the conventional tablet press. This not only overcomes the shortcomings of the traditional cold pressing in forming complicated geometric shapes, but also avoids the high injection molding technology cost.

The Lightweight Technology-Powder Metallurgy

The powder metallurgy is a lightweight technology, the most materials saving, process saving technology. Advanced powder metallurgy materials can greatly improve the strength and toughness, reduce the weight, and improve performance. For instance, turbine disk from aircraft engine is all use of the powder alloy turbine disk, because the performance is better, with higher strength, can also reduce the weight.

To develop powder alloy steel is necessarry, such as the oil pipeline if it use of powder corrosion-resistant steel and stainless steel can greatly increase the alloying elements, improve corrosion resistance, can make the oil pipe is relatively thin, but the strength, better corrosion resistance. Most of the connecting rods from Auto are made by powder metallurgy method, in the past with the traditional glaze, the material utilization rate is low, may be less than 50%, with much machining, after used powder metallurgy , forging out is a link, the material utilization rate can reach more than 90%, and the surface fatigue performance is better, the performance can also be improved by weight. 

As we know, metal injection molding(MIM) is a branch of powder metallurgy, this technology is completely suitable for small, complex, mass quantity metal parts production, in many conditions, compared to traditional manufacturing methods, it could achive(or beyond) the same functions to old parts with fewer materials, smaller shapes(glance over some successful MIM cases) . Therefore, the powder metallurgy itself is the lightweight technology.

ZCMIM's views on the future development of MIM industry

The development of metal injection molding in the manufacturing industry China very quickly. From the initial transition to powder metallurgy, injection molding process at present, seems to have in recent years. Or, in domestic manufacturing, MIM technology in recent years began to fire up.

There are more and more new markets for metal injection molding, began to try to import MIM technology. Aerospace, automotive, medical, military, all walks of life began to have MIM of the product. China is a manufacturing country. The powder metallurgy process, will face greater market. The traditional processing techniques, will suffer a severe test.

It is understood that the MIM process in the manufacturing of aircraft structural parts, auto parts has been quite common, the powder metallurgy MIM products are represented in aircraft manufacturing, automobile manufacturing field use. With the arrival of the era of domestic manufacturing, believe that MIM technology will have more opportunity to show its mettle.