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MIM gains ground in US marketplace
MIM focus MIM gains ground in US marketplace The MPIF's Peter Johnson takes a look at the US MIM market and the activities of the Metal Injection Molding Association, MIMA… THE METAL injection moulding business in the United States continues to make inroads against competitors such as machined parts and investment castings. MIM powder shipments the North American market increased by more than 15 per cent in 2002. And although this year's prospects are less certain, awareness of MIM has been growing, especially among new customers. According to the Metal Injection Molding Association (MIMA), the sector's top growth markets include automotive, medical, electronics and consumer products. Estimates of the value of the US powder injection moulding market vary widely. MIMA, for example, reported
that in 2002 the powder injection market in North America ranged from between $100 million and $150 million for metal injection moulded parts and $40 million to $80 million for ceramic injection moulded parts. There are an estimated 30 MIM parts producers in North America, including both job shops and inhouse departments. Founded in 1987, MIMA comprises 30 members that make MIM parts and other suppliers of metal powders and feedstocks. The association promotes MIM applications and educates design engineers about the capabilities of the process. It conducts design seminars and develops material standards.
MIM has emerged and is gaining recognition
The latest standard, Materials Standards for Metal Injection Moulded Parts - 2000, covers lowalloy steels, stainless steel and soft magnetic alloys. Physical and magnetic properties are provided for 13 materials including minimum and typical values. The low-alloy steel section of the standard covers MIM materials made from both pre-alloys and admixtures of iron powder and other alloying elements such as nickel, molybdenum and carbon. The stainless steel section covers pre-alloyed or elementally blended stainless steels such as austenitic, ferritic and
precipitation hardening grades. Soft magnetic alloys, which look set for a rosy future with the advent of hybrid hydrocarbon/electrically powered vehicles, are easily magnetised and demagnetised. They are made from prealloyed powder or admixtures of iron and other elements such as nickel, chromium, cobalt and silicon. The MIM industry has emerged and is gaining recognition as an important sector within the overall PM field. With its special design advantages, MIM has the potential to extend the general market reach of powder metallurgy.
The hybrid - engined Prius from Toyota is in the vanguard of the advance towards more efficient automobiles that use more MIM parts.
metal-powder.net
September 2003 MPR
31
that in 2002 the powder injection market in North America ranged from between $100 million and $150 million for metal injection moulded parts and $40 million to $80 million for ceramic injection moulded parts. There are an estimated 30 MIM parts producers in North America, including both job shops and inhouse departments. Founded in 1987, MIMA comprises 30 members that make MIM parts and other suppliers of metal powders and feedstocks. The association promotes MIM applications and educates design engineers about the capabilities of the process. It conducts design seminars and develops material standards.
MIM has emerged and is gaining recognition
The latest standard, Materials Standards for Metal Injection Moulded Parts - 2000, covers lowalloy steels, stainless steel and soft magnetic alloys. Physical and magnetic properties are provided for 13 materials including minimum and typical values. The low-alloy steel section of the standard covers MIM materials made from both pre-alloys and admixtures of iron powder and other alloying elements such as nickel, molybdenum and carbon. The stainless steel section covers pre-alloyed or elementally blended stainless steels such as austenitic, ferritic and
precipitation hardening grades. Soft magnetic alloys, which look set for a rosy future with the advent of hybrid hydrocarbon/electrically powered vehicles, are easily magnetised and demagnetised. They are made from prealloyed powder or admixtures of iron and other elements such as nickel, chromium, cobalt and silicon. The MIM industry has emerged and is gaining recognition as an important sector within the overall PM field. With its special design advantages, MIM has the potential to extend the general market reach of powder metallurgy.
The hybrid - engined Prius from Toyota is in the vanguard of the advance towards more efficient automobiles that use more MIM parts.
metal-powder.net
September 2003 MPR
31