Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a cutting-edge manufacturing process where finely-powdered metal is mixed with a binder material to create a feedstock. This feedstock is then injection molded into complex shapes, much like plastic. Following this, the molded part undergoes debinding and high-temperature sintering to produce high-precision metal components. Essentially, MIM technology combines the design flexibility of injection molding with the strength of conventional metalworking.
MIM technology offers numerous benefits, making it a superior choice for many applications:
MIM technology has a wide range of applications across virtually every industry that requires precision metal parts. Some typical application areas include:
If your product requires:
This is the foundation of MIM. We select high-quality metal powders and precisely mix them with a specific ratio of binder materials according to the part’s requirements. The binder acts to hold the metal powder particles together and provide the necessary flowability for injection molding.
The prepared feedstock is injected into high-precision molds. The mold design is critical as it determines the final shape and dimensions of the part. Our experienced design team and advanced mold-making capabilities ensure that every detail meets your specifications.
The “green part” obtained after injection molding contains a significant amount of binder. The debinding process aims to remove most of this binder material, leaving behind a porous metal structure. The debinding method varies depending on the type of binder used and can include solvent debinding, thermal debinding, and catalytic debinding.
This is a crucial step in the MIM process. The debinded parts are placed in a high-temperature furnace and heated to near the melting point of the metal in a controlled atmosphere. At this high temperature, the metal powder particles fuse together through atomic diffusion, forming a dense, solid component. The sintering process significantly increases the strength and density of the parts and brings them to their final dimensions.
Depending on the specific application requirements of the part, we also offer a range of post-processing services, including precision machining, surface treatments (such as polishing, sandblasting, electroplating), heat treatment, and more, to further enhance the performance and appearance of the components.
As a leading MIM manufacturing facility, Heibor Technology boasts state-of-the-art production equipment, an experienced technical team, and a comprehensive quality management system. We are committed to providing our clients with end-to-end MIM solutions, from product design and mold development to material selection, final production, and post-processing.
By choosing Heibor Technology, you gain access to: