MIM Parts
Stainless Steel Injection Molding
| Material Designation | Alloy Composition(wt%) | Condition | Densityρ (g/cm³) | UTSσ b(Mpa) | YSσ 0.2(Mpa) | Elongationσ (%) | Hardness |
| MIM SS316L | C 0.03%max Ni 10~14% Mo 2~3% Cr 18~20% Fe balance | Sinterd | 7.75 | 500 | 250 | 4 | 65~85HRB |
| MIM SS304 | C 0.08% max Ni 8~10% Cr 18~20% Fe balance | Sinterd | 7.65 | 480 | 270 | 35 | 65~85HRB |
| MIM SS420 | C 0.2~0.4% Cr 12~14% Fe balance | Heat Treated | 7.4 | 1310 | 11500 | 6 | 40~45HRC |
| MIM SS310S | Sinterd | 7.7 | 520 | 205 | 40 | 80~100HRB | |
| MIM 17-4PH | C 0.07%max Cr 15.5~17.5% Cu 3~5% Ni 3~5% Nb 0.15~0.45% Fe balance | Sinterd | 7.5 | 900 | 730 | 6 | 20~28HRC |
| MIM 17-4PH | Same as above | Heat Treated | 7.5 | 1185 | 1090 | 5 | 32~42HRC |
Good fluidity and shape retention
Good corrosion resistance
Good comprehensive strength and toughness
High hardness
High strength, high wear resistance
Medium corrosion resistance
Heat treatment
High strength
High hardness
similar to MIM 17-4 H900 in composition but is heat treated is different
Best choice for the good ductility and extremely high corrosion resistance product
Excellent Strength
Hardness
Wear Resistance
It has good corrosion resistance and strength. Its hardness can vary with heat treatment temperatures.
High-strength
Corrosion-resistant
Alloy Material
Because of pitting and fretting corrosion problems, type 316L stainless steel is now generally used only for temporary implants.
A 17-4 PH alloy (AISI 630) contains iron with 17% Cr, 4% Ni, 4% Cu, and relatively low amounts of Mn, Si, and Nb. The MIM product typically has a yield strength of 980 MPa when sintered and heat treated to the H1025 condition, but this ranges from 965 MPa to 1040 MPa depending on the vendor. MIM, however, produces a coarse-grained microstructure as a result of the sintering step that leads to lower ductility and tensile strength.
F.A.Q
Yes, stainless steel can be injection molded, but it requires a different process known as metal injection molding (MIM). Metal injection molding is similar to plastic injection molding, but it utilizes a mixture of fine stainless steel powder and a binder material to create feedstock.
The first step in metal injection molding is to mix the stainless steel powder with the binder material, usually a thermoplastic or wax. This mixture is then heated and injected into a mold cavity using high pressure, just like in plastic injection molding. The molten mixture fills the mold cavities and takes the desired shape.
Once the part has solidified, it goes through a debinding process to remove the binder material. The debound part is then sintered at high temperatures to fuse the stainless steel particles together and achieve the final density and mechanical properties.
Metal injection molding allows for complex shapes and intricate details to be produced using stainless steel, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional manufacturing methods such as casting or machining. It is commonly used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and electronics.
