What is metal injection molding (MIM) process?
Metal injection molding (MIM) process is a metalworking process by which finely-powdered metal is mixed with a measured amount of polymer binder material to comprise the “feedstock” capable of being handled by plastic processing equipment through a process known as injection molding.
The metal injection molding (MIM) process is already applied in sintered magnet. Some researchers used this technology to get the Kovar, Ferrite, SmCo and NdFeB magnet in the last few years.
The manufacture process of metal injection molding (MIM) magnet
Advantages of metal injection molding (MIM) magnet
Like conventional injection molded magnet, the metal injection molding (MIM) magnet have below advantages:
- Complex shape without machining.
- Near net-shape, and free of subsequent machining.
- High dimension accuracy.
- Easy to achieve mass production.
- Savings in material.
How to improve the magnetic properties of metal injection molding (MIM) magnet?
- The content of carbon element have significant influence on the magnetic properties of NdFeB magnets. The type of binder and debinding parameters had a large effect on the residual carbon content. The researchers in this area are still looking for the suitable binder system and debinding method.
- For metal injection molding (MIM) magnet, the role of alignment factor is also as important as simple sintered magnet. The ideal alignment factor is the precondition to get high performance sintered magnet.
The future research direction of metal injection molding (MIM) magnet
- The metal injection molding (MIM) magnet provides one possible for the manufacture of low-cost radially oriented sintered magnet and multi-pole sintered magnet. The technical reserve of orientation technology from injection molded magnet will be helpful to overcome the technological difficulties of unconventional magnet.
- The metal injection molding (MIM) magnet is offering the possibility to the application of recycle rare-earth magnet’s powder.
