IM Injection Molding Technology of Titanium Alloy

MIM injection molding is a highlight of powder metallurgy. It can complete parts that cannot be made by conventional powder metallurgy technology. Its principle is to use plastic molding technology to produce very complex parts. Add solid components, such as ceramic powder or metal powder, to the plastic mixture to reduce the plastic component and increase the proportion of metal components. This is used to improve the performance of injection parts, So as to achieve a real breakthrough. At present, the technology has completely realized the removal of plastic bonding components of injection parts and the realization of ceramic skeleton of metal or ceramics. Although it is still relatively easy to break, the density can be relatively increased by 95% through sintering, and the mechanical properties are generally equal to or superior to traditional powder metallurgy products.

After decades of development, MIM technology has become a large number of small parts with precise and geometric shapes, and has been applied to all aspects of life, such as mobile communication, semiconductor, medical field, automobile field, etc. Because of the advantages of MIM, it is possible to mix multiple metal elements and manufacture parts required in various fields. It can be seen that the market is very large, so domestic MIM manufacturers have risen rapidly. At present, there are hundreds of domestic MIM manufacturers. Lianyungang Dongmu New Materials Co., Ltd., a large company, has invested 220 mu of land to build a MIM metal injection molding workshop. Technology is the core of MIM injection molding competition, and many MIM manufacturers are worried about titanium alloy technology, because the metal properties of titanium alloy are very suitable for manufacturing lightweight parts, which are very hard and light in quality. * * * Suitable articles for daily use are used to make eyeglass frames.

The application of titanium alloy is a difficult problem for MIM injection molding manufacturers. Lianyungang Dongmu New Materials Co., Ltd. spent millions of R&D funds to overcome this technology to produce titanium alloy eyeglass frames. Although MIM technology can produce complex parts, it is inevitable that there will be a little deformation in the sintering process when making such a long MIM injection molding part, and the finishing process is required later, For parts made of other materials, only a small MIM injection molding finishing press can complete the shaping work, but facing the high hardness of titanium alloy, it is quite difficult to shape. Although the brother units of Lianyungang Dongmu New Materials Co., Ltd. can achieve the purpose of reshaping after ups and downs, it is still very difficult to achieve mass production, mainly because the titanium alloy is too hard and the finishing is too difficult. However, titanium alloy is always a highlight of MIM injection molding technology. I believe many MIM manufacturers are investing a lot of money in research and development for this technology. It is hoped that mass production of titanium alloy element parts can be formed at an early date in China.

Expand reading of Advantages and Disadvantages of MIM Technology

At present, MIM injection molding is very mature in China. According to the experience gained in powder metallurgy industry in Lianyungang Dongmu New Materials Co., Ltd., the following is a summary:

advantage

1. The injection molding technology can realize the production of high-density, high-precision, three-dimensional complex structural parts, and can directly carry out mass production technology.

2. Injection molding uses molds to manufacture blanks to ensure the unity of products. The blanks designed by the mold are basically close to the finished products, and the utilization rate of materials is basically 100%, reducing the subsequent process procedures, no cutting or less cutting, with high economic benefits.

3. Injection molding overcomes the shortcomings of the conventional powder metallurgy process products, such as uneven density, low mechanical properties, and complex thin-wall structure, which is difficult to form. It is obviously superior to the precision casting and conventional powder metallurgy products in mechanical properties.

4. The powder used in injection molding is expensive but small in particle size. The surface finish of finished injection products produced is high, which is especially suitable for large, small and complex structural parts.

Existing problems

1. The price of raw materials is relatively expensive. The price of ordinary iron powder this year is more than 7 yuan per kilogram, which is only applicable to conventional powder metallurgy pressing. The particle diameter is about 100 microns, but for injection molding, the particle diameter is about 4-20 microns, and the price is also increased, usually about 8 times higher than conventional powder metallurgy, 60-120 yuan/kg.

2. The binder used in the production of raw material particles has high requirements, and must meet the conditions of non-toxic, good fluidity, easy removal, environmental protection, and no reaction with the powder.

3. Injection molded products are generally only used to make thin wall, small and complex structural parts, with the weight less than 150g and the accuracy controlled at about 3 microns. It is difficult to grasp the process stability.

4. Compared with conventional powder metallurgy, the sintering of MIM products takes a longer time, usually one day. Now, sintering is completed in 4 hours in the sintering furnace used in conventional powder metallurgy in Lianyungang Dongmu, which consumes more time and increases the cost of injection molding.

5. MIM injection molding products involve chemistry, metallurgy, materials, mold manufacturing, automation control and other disciplines, and the requirements for professional teams with comprehensive quality are relatively large. For enterprises, the requirements for talent training are large, and large experience and knowledge reserves are required.

6. MIM injection molding process needs a lot of capital investment to replace the traditional process parts that have been mass produced, so there will be many uncertain factors. Many companies are unwilling to invest, which affects the enthusiasm of investment. Investment with strategic vision and profit patience is difficult to find.