MIM metal powder molding of titanium alloys
Recently, Xiaomi Mi 14 Ultra was officially released, which brought a titanium special edition model. The middle frame is made of titanium and is integrally molded using Metal Injection Molding.
MIM is metal powder injection molding, which is called the fifth generation metal molding process. It is a new type of near-net shape technology that is considered an ideal processing technology for preparing titanium and titanium alloys because it can produce complex structures, high-dimensional, and high-precision parts in large quantities at low cost.
MIM, metal injection molding, has become a rapidly developing and most promising new near-net forming technology in the field of powder metallurgy, and is known as one of the "most popular metal parts forming technologies in the world".
Metal injection molding, referred to as MIM (Metal Injection Molding), is a method of mixing metal powder and binder for injection molding. It first mixes the selected powder with a binder, then pellets the mixture and then injection molds it into the required shape. After degreasing and sintering, the binder is removed to obtain the metal product we want, or it is then processed Subsequent shaping, surface treatment, heat treatment, machining and other methods make the product more perfect.
At present, the main feeding material for titanium alloys refers to uniformly mixing a certain amount of titanium alloy metal powder and binder at a certain temperature and in a certain proportion to obtain a powder and binder mixture suitable for injection molding. The preparation of uniform feed is the key to obtaining high-precision powder injection molding products. If the feed is mixed unevenly, the binder will produce defects such as deformation during the degreasing process and uneven sintering shrinkage, thereby increasing the dimensional deviation of the final sintered body. Therefore, the preparation of the feed plays a decisive role in the accuracy of MIM products.
MIM = powder metallurgy + injection molding
Advantages of MIM
MIM combines the advantages of powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding technologies, breaking through the limitations of the traditional metal powder molding process in product shape. At the same time, it uses plastic injection molding technology to form parts with complex shapes in large quantities and with high efficiency. It has become a near-net shape technology for modern manufacturing of high-quality precision parts. It has advantages that conventional powder metallurgy, machining and precision casting and other processing methods cannot match.
MIM applications
MIM is widely used in many fields such as consumer electronics , automotive parts, medical equipment, power tools, industrial equipment, and daily necessities.
Consumer electronics field
Consumer electronics products typically include smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, smart wearables, drones, etc.
In 2010, the sign appearance parts of BlackBerry mobile phones adopted MIM process technology, opening up the mass use of MIM parts on mobile phones.
Apple has also started using MIM parts since 2010, and has continued to expand and lead the scope of MIM use. MIM parts such as power interface parts, card trays, hinges, camera rings, buttons, etc. have been successfully used on mobile phones.
As consumer electronics products such as smartphones and smart wearable devices become thinner and lighter, the core components of these products will also become more sophisticated and complex. In this context, the application prospects of MIM technology will become increasingly broad.
car parts
In the field of automotive parts manufacturing, the MIM process, as a non-cutting metal parts forming process, can save materials and reduce production costs. Therefore, the MIM process has received great attention from the automotive industry and began to be used in automotive parts in the 1990s. market.
At present, the automotive industry has used the MIM process to produce some complex-shaped, bimetallic parts and groups of micro-small parts, such as turbocharger parts, adjustment rings, injector parts, blades, gearboxes, power steering parts, etc.
medical instruments
In the field of medical devices, medical accessories produced by the MIM process have high precision and can meet the requirements of small size, high complexity, and high mechanical properties required by most precision medical devices for accessories.
In recent years, MIM technology has been more and more widely used, such as surgical knife handles, scissors, forceps, dental parts, orthopedic joint parts, etc.
electrical tools
The machining of power tool accessories is complex, has high processing costs, low material utilization, and is more dependent on MIM. Typical products include special-shaped milling cutters, cutting tools, fasteners, micro gears, and loose parts developed in recent years. Cotton machine/textile machine/curling machine parts, etc.
