In the current 72 page issue of Powder Injection Moulding International....

Exclusive news from the MIM and CIM industries

Our 16 page industry news section features stories ranging from new applications for metal and ceramic injection moulding to new materials and production equipment developments.

The 72 page December 2009 issue also features the following features and technical papers....

Titanium powder injection moulding (Ti-PIM): A review of the current status of materials, processing, properties and applications

This 17 page extended review is essential reading for any MIM part producers considering adding titanium to their materials portfolio.

The PIM of titanium, its alloys and compounds is a key area of current R&D and a spectrum of commercial opportunities arise from the marriage of titanium’s attributes with the shaping capabilities of PIM.

In this specially commissioned feature, Prof. Randall German, San Diego State University, USA, reviews the current status of each aspect of Ti-PIM, from materials through to processing, properties and applications.

Euro PM2009 review:
A high level of MIM industry participation gives a welcome boost in Copenhagen

The Euro PM2009 conference & exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark, October 12-14, proved to be a successful event in a challenging climate. MIM featured prominently in both the conference sessions and workshops.

In the exhibition hall, a notable shift in balance saw, for the first time, MIM suppliers claiming centre stage from traditional PM suppliers. Dr Georg Schlieper reports for PIM International.

Hunan Injection High Technology (HIHT) approaches its 10th anniversary with high ambitions

Hunan Injection High Technology Co. Ltd. was established in Changsha in 2000 as one of China’s first commercial metal injection moulding (MIM) companies.

The company was initially established under the umbrella of the Powder Metallurgy Research Institute of the Central South University, but has quickly become one of China’s leading independent MIM producers.

Mr Xiao Yulin recently visited the company on behalf of PIM International and reports on the product developments and future plans.

Interview: Michael Bayer, Managing Director of binder and feedstock systems provider
eMBe Products & Service GmbH

During a busy autumn season of major exhibitions for the European PIM industry, PIM International met up with Michael Bayer, Managing Director of German feedstock and binder supplier eMBe Products & Service GmbH at both the Euro PM and Ceramitec events.

We took the opportunity to gain an insight into eMBe, the company’s offering for the PIM industry and to make the case for using ready-to-mould feedstock systems.

Preventative quality assurance
for PIM producers: A new batch-to-batch feedstock testing method

Preventative quality assurance through the testing of feedstock prior to part production runs can offer significant cost savings thanks to a lower reject rate, suggests Arburg GmbH + Co KG, Lossburg, Germany.

Hartmut Walcher explains how the company’s SELOGICA control system can be used to provide essential quality data for PIM part producers.

Metal injection moulding of a new Fe-8Ni micron-size pre-alloyed powder
A. Nouveau, H. Senillou, M. Bonneau 

With more than 60 years of international experience in powder metallurgy, Eurotungstene operates in business sectors such as cemented carbides, high-density materials, diamond tools and recently also in the metal injection moulding (MIM) industry as a manufacturer of micron-size metal powders. Eurotungstene’s ability to innovate in the diamond tools industry has allowed the company to be considered as a technological leader: the company was the first to develop a new concept in binders for diamond tools applications (1997), and to produce, on an industrial scale, an extensive range of pre-alloyed powders by hydrogen reduction. This innovative solution [1] aims to replace the use of cobalt in binders for diamond tools: the more competitive pre-alloyed powders are now largely consumed by tool manufacturers.

Today, Eurotungstene offers its know-how and its experience to the MIM industry. By making a pre-alloyed Fe-8Ni powder, PA-FN08, with enhanced sintered part properties, Eurotungstene’s manufacturing process allows us to consider an alternative to the atomised or blended carbonyl powders [2-5]. PA-FN08 belongs to Microneex®, a range of micron-size metal powders, specially designed for MIM applications. PA-FN08 is the first pre-alloyed powder developed for the MIM industry by this manufacturing process that Eurotungstene is extending to other grades (Fe-36Ni, Fe-50Ni, Fe-29Ni-17Co…).

Application of a simulation tool in powder injection moulding (PIM)
Seokyoung Ahn, Seong-Taek Chung, Seong Jin Park, Randall M. German

Simulations used for plastics have been applied to PIM, but the high solid content often makes for differences. Several situations demonstrate the problems, such as slip phenomena, powder-binder separation, high inertia effects and rapid heat loss. Thus, the simulations to analyse the PIM process build from the success demonstrated in plastics, but adapt those concepts for filling, packing, and cooling stages. Demonstration of usefulness and optimisation for moulding defects, balanced filling, delivery system and design of experiments is discussed.

Influence of sintering conditions and furnace technology on chemical and mechanical properties of injection moulded 316L
Steffen Krug, Stefan Zachmann

In industrial practice, stainless steel injection moulded parts are sintered under various sintering conditions. Common are molybdenum or graphite vacuum furnaces. Different sintering atmospheres and pressures are used. Based on a water soluble binder system 316L test bars are injection moulded and sintered under various sintering conditions (vacuum, nitrogen, hydrogen and argon).

The main task of the study is to elaborate the impact of sintering atmospheres on the properties of Stainless Steel. To this purpose metallurgical, chemical and mechanical tests are carried out and discussed. Sintering tests are carried out in graphite and molybdenum furnaces. Debinding and sintering in a furnace with a retort as well as thermal binder removal and sintering in two different furnaces are evaluated.

As shown by the tests carbon control during debinding and control of the sintering athmosphere has an important influence on finished part quality. So does the furnace technology used.

Subscribing to PIM International

A 1 year subscription to PIM International is only £95 (approx. US$156/€111), including airmail shipping.

Over four issues, this brings you more than 250 pages of the best news, reports and technical papers covering the global metal, ceramic and carbide injection moulding industries.

Subscribe today and let us keep you informed of developments in this fast moving and dynamic sector.

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