Laser assisted micromachining of (WC)_(94)Co_6 is performed for rapid prototyping of microstructures in mold inserts. Because of the high hardness, these metal alloy shows suitable mechanical properties, especially for powder injection molding (Metal Injection Molding (MIM) and Ceramic Injection Molding (CIM) applications. The morphological, mechanical and chemical properties of the laser patterned mold inserts are investigated as function of laser (Nd:YAG: lambda=1.06 mum, 523 nm) and process parameters. Etch rates up to 20x10~3 mum~3/pulse with etch depth higher than 1000 mum are obtained with sharp contours of the microstructures. First results of micro-injection molding with laser patterned mold inserts are presented.
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