Advancements and Challenges in MIM Titanium Alloy Production
Dec 17, 2023
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a method that blends metal powder with a binder for injection molding, integrating powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding. The main process involves four stages: granulation, injection, debinding, and sintering. MIM excels in cost-effective, large-scale production of complex, high-dimensional, and high-precision components. We believe MIM is an ideal process for fabricating titanium alloy components, aligning with the mid-to-long-term technological development trends.
By harnessing the advantages of both powder metallurgy and plastic injection molding, MIM breaks the limitations of traditional metal powder compaction methods, efficiently producing intricate components in large volumes. It stands as a near-net shaping technology for manufacturing high-quality precision parts, boasting advantages incomparable to conventional methods such as powder metallurgy, machining, and precision casting. The versatility of MIM extends to a wide range of metal materials, including titanium alloys, sidestepping the drawbacks associated with cutting titanium alloys.
However, there are certain bottlenecks in the large-scale industrial application of MIM titanium alloy materials:
Titanium Alloy Powder Performance Requirements: Although domestic manufacturers of spherical titanium and titanium alloy powders have made rapid progress in recent years, there is still a certain gap from global leading technology, leading to high prices for imported powders.
Binder Selection and Debinding Process: The choice of binder determines the powder filling quantity, directly impacting the density, shrinkage, and surface roughness of the product after sintering. Efficient debonding processes contribute to reducing impurity elements and enhancing product performance.
Sintering Process Optimization and Equipment Requirements: Given the high reactivity of titanium alloys, precise control of temperature and oxygen content is crucial during sintering, imposing higher demands on sintering furnaces.
As technology continues to evolve and breakthroughs emerge, coupled with improvements in production efficiency, we anticipate a gradual breakthrough in the industrialization bottleneck of MIM titanium alloy materials.
