Chinese powder producer Yuelong expands into atomised powders for metal injection molding (MIM)
September 14, 2010
Established a number of years as Asia’s leading producer of carbonyl iron powders (CIP), Yuelong Superfine Metal Co., Ltd, located in Guangdong Province, China, is now offering a new range of atomised metal powders for the metal injection moulding (MIM) and powder metallurgy (PM) sectors. These include stainless steels, iron and pre-alloyed materials.
By the end of April this year the company had achieved the first stage of its ambitious expansion strategy, with the installation of both water and gas atomisation facilities with a reported 3000 t/a capacity. The company told PIM International that Stage II of its expansion plan is scheduled to be initiated by the end of 2010, increasing capacity up to 10,000 t/a.
Mr. Shangkui Li, President of Yuelong Superfine Metal Co., Ltd, explained the motivation behind this major investment, “This project has been planned for three years, and the advantage for Yuelong rests on the clear benefits of combining carbonyl powder production and atomised powder production. With our existing expertise, most of the recyclable materials can be collected and reused to lower the production cost and better protect the environment. A new level of reaction temperature and pressure can also be reached, improving the physical quality of the powders. We are very confident that these new powders will be very well received”.
The availability of consistently good quality and cost-effective powders for MIM will have a positive effect on the industry in China, stated the company. It believes that despite a thriving MIM industry in the country, the materials supply situation has been chaotic in the past, with a few foreign suppliers offering high quality powders at a high price, whilst at the other end of the spectrum numerous local ‘workshops’ sold poor powders for a ‘reasonable’ rate. It is estimated that there are now around 60 MIM component makers in mainland China, with an annual growth over 30% in terms of turnover for the past three years.
With seven years of production experience in CIP and 3500 t/a capacity, Yuelong has already established itself in the MIM and PM industries, particularly in Asia. The company is, however, also looking to increase its presence on the international powder market, opening a sales office last year in St. Ingbert, Saarland, Germany.
Contact Mr Bo Li, Email: [email protected]
