Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is ideal for high-precision manufacturing of products that require high dimensional accuracy and long service life. For example, powder metal parts such as powder metal pulley. MIM was developed from plastic injection molding and has the same advantages, great freedom in design and production (large and medium series). MIM products are used in closing systems for automotive engines, fire doors, and surgical instruments. As the series gets larger, MIM becomes more attractive because the cost of the tooling (potentially up to 60k) can be amortized over the entire series.

In injection molding, metal products are produced in three steps, the base material consists of metal powder and metal particles made of plastic powder. The metal powder can be steel, but also stainless steel, titanium, or tungsten. The pellets are heated to 160˚C and injected into the mold. The degreasing of the plastic is now carried out at the same temperature. The product is then sintered at a temperature of 1400°C. Sintering gives the product its final form. It shrinks by up to 20%. In this way, a product with a weight of 0.1 g can be produced. The dimensions of the product are very precise (max. 0.25% deviation from final dimensions). 1 gram can be produced this way. The dimensions of the product are very precise (max. 0.25% deviation from final dimensions). 1 gram can be produced this way. The dimensions of the product are very precise (max. 0.25% deviation from final dimensions).

MIM is a very cheap production technique from the moment it has to be produced in large quantities.

NingBo GSK Powder Metallurgy Co., Ltd. is a CNC machining auto parts supplier, specializing in various metal injection molding parts, like powder metal pulley.