Metal Injection Moulding (MIM) is a metal forming process that allows complex parts to be shaped in a single operation and in high volume. It is cost-effective for small, intricate, high-volume products which would otherwise be quite expensive to produce by alternate or classic methods.
Metal injection molded parts offer a nearly unlimited shape and geometric-feature capability
The MIM process utilises fine metal powders (typically less than 20 micrometers) which are custom formulated with a binder (various thermoplastics, waxes, and other materials) into a feedstock which is granulated and then fed into a cavity (or multiple cavities) of a conventional injection molding machine.
After the “green” component is removed, most of the binder is extracted by thermal or solvent processing and the rest is removed as the component is sintered (solid-state diffused) in a controlled-atmosphere furnace.
The MIM process is very similar to plastic injection molding, but in metal instead of plastic, and it can produce much the same shapes and configuration features.
The advantages of the metal injection molding process lie in its capability to produce mechanical properties nearly equivalent to wrought materials, while being a net-shape process technology with excellent dimensional tolerance control.
Metal injection molded parts offer a nearly unlimited shape and geometric-feature capability, with high production rates possible through the use of multi-cavity tooling.
Applications include; small arms parts, medical and diagnostic equipment, orthodontic components, automotive parts, Mechatronic components, switch gear.
Wear is a complex field and there are numerous types of wear. Different types (and combinations) of wear mechanisms requires different approaches to the material selection and design.
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Introduction This is a complex subject in part due to the time dependant mechanical behaviour of metals under load at elevated temperature. At room temperature, we understand that a part is failing once it is past it’s yield point – plastic deformation is occurring. The part is completely destroyed once…
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Malabou cast special alloys that allow for castings to be used at elevated temperature’s, in some cases in excess of 1000°C. These heat resistant casting alloys consist of predominantly of combinations of nickel, chromium and iron together with small percentages of other elements. Castings made of these high temperature alloys…
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Of course many of you will know the answer, some of you won’t & some of you will be surprised by the answer. Malabou specialises in making castings in stainless, alloy, mild, and tool steels and we are often asked this question. Background Metallurgy. At room temperature, Mild Steel is…
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