Reducing Metal Injection Molding Feedstock Costs by Additions of Coarse Iron Powder, in Conjunction with Avanced Sintering Techniques

摘要

A major inhibiting factor in the growth of the metal injection molding (MIM) industry has been the extremely high cost of the very fine metal powders (10 #mu#m) used in the MIM process. Up to the present time, the cost of these fine powders has been an order of magnitude higher than that of coarser powders used in conventional press and sinter powder metallurgy, which in turn are more expensive than comparable wrought or cast materials. The very fine powders have been necessary because the fine particle size equates to an extremely high particle surface area. This high surface area provides the driving energy for densification to a density level that produces satisfactory mechanical and physical properties.