Chinese Metal Injection Moulding powder producer LDNMT to increase production capacity
China’s Yingtan Longding New Materials & Technology Company Ltd (LDNMT) has rapidly grown to become a domestic market leader in atomised powder for Metal Injection Moulding. Established in 2010, the company uses advanced gas and water combined atomisation technologies to manufacture its powders.
Sales figures for 2017 were recently released, along with plans for increased production. Thanks to the strong demand for atomised powders in the global MIM market, it reported sales of 2,500 tons of MIM powder for the year. The company also announced that it would increase its production capacity to 5,000 tons per year through the construction of a new metal powder factory that will go into operation in 2019.
LDNMT states that since the start of 2014 its stainless steel powders have been well received on the international market, including in the Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. The company provides a range of powders for metal injection moulded structural applications, as well as magnetic material powders and other alloy powders in a variety of particle sizes and tap densities, based on the demands of customers. Its product line includes 316L, 304L, 17-4PH, 4J29, F75, HK30, 420W, 440C, Fe2Ni, 4140 and FeSi.
In 2017, a new 316L stainless steel powder was introduced specifically for the production of smart wearable devices and jewellery. The tap density of the powder is stated to be above 4.8 g/cm3, with the sintered density achieved reported as 7.95 g/ cm3 after sintering at 1390°C.Other types of powders available are 17-4PH Super, which is used for medical devices.
With a sintered density of 7.7 g/cm3, and possessing the characteristics of high corrosion resistance and strength, LDNMT reports that it has seen sales of this product grow by 40% over the last year. Sales of the soft magnetic powders FeSi/FeSiCr and Kovar-F15, used in electronic devices, saw growth of 25% and 28% respectively.
The company told PIM International, “LDNMT supplies around 50% of China’s domestic market for MIM stainless steel powder. We are well positioned and growing to become one of the largest suppliers of MIM stainless steel materials in China.”
