Metal injection molding (MIM) is a manufacturing process for fabricating small and precise metal components using finely-powdered metal, blended with a binder (binding agent), then solidified. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Precision Sintered Parts
Tulsa, OK | 918-663-7511Since 1967, PSP has been a leader in small, intricate custom powdered metal parts for a wide range of industries, such as Sports & Recreation, Power Tools, Industrial Equipment, Oil & Gas.

DSB Technologies
Janesville, WI | 608-755-1900DSB Technologies offers cutting-edge powder metal application solutions. We pride ourselves on the ability to offer technology that optimizes the powder metal process. Our solutions include metal binder jetting, metal injection molding, sintering expertise, compaction/press technology, and custom blend material development services. We also make sure to offer webinars and design guidelines to...

Compax Inc.
Anaheim, CA | 714-630-3670Compax is an full service sintered powder metal parts producer that has been in business for over 50 years. Compax, Inc. is ISO 9001:2008-certified. We specialize in high quality gears, structural parts, and assemblies. The industries we serve include automotive, medical, aerospace, high security locks, electronics, tech, power tools, pump, and many others.

Liberty Pressed Metals, LLC
Kersey, PA | 814-885-6277Liberty Pressed Metals is a designer and producer of Powder Metals (PM) components for use in various industries, such as automotive, lawn and garden, office equipment, power tool, home appliances, and more. Our process boost product strength, precision, and durability. We are ISO 9001: 2015 certified. Our quality management system assures top-quality sourcing of materials, as well as unmatched...

FMS Corporation
Minneapolis, MN | 952-888-7976Family owned and operated since 1946, the FMS Corporation provides exceptional, customized powder metal parts manufacturing services. Our mission at FMS is to provide our clients with unparalleled service. By using our custom prototyping service, we are able to offer you fully integrated solutions for your parts, from concept to reality. At FMS, the focus is on our client.

Metal Injection Molding Manufacturers List
The metal injection molding cycle starts with the creation of the feedstock (the raw materials used to produce another material or item) by combining a binder made up of lubricants, polymers, waxes, and surfactants with a smooth metallic powder. The final feedstock is then ground into granules. Next, the feedstock is heated using an injection molding machine before being injected under pressure into a mold cavity. Time is then allowed for the molten feedstock to cool and solidify. A portion of the feedstock becomes a very porous brown substance once the binder components are eliminated. This brown component is subsequently sintered into more solid material and normally achieves over 95% of the density of the rest of the material, with no pores.
Metal Injection Molding Considerations
Metal injection molding can process almost any metal manufactured in an appropriate powder form. The adhering oxide film constantly presents on the surface of aluminum metal makes it an exception, as it prevents the sintering stage of the metal injection molding process. Numerous popular and less-common metals and their alloys are included in the list of metals that have been utilized in the metal injection molding process. The various metals processed through MIM include high-speed steels, superalloys, magnetic alloys, stainless steels, cemented carbides (hard metals), magnetic alloys, and intermetallic alloys.

Several factors make the choice of the binding particle used significant, including a powder’s density, the amount of metal contained in the feedstock, etc. Another surprising factor in selecting a binder is the shape of its particles. Typically, a spherical or nearly-spherical shape is preferable for MIM processes, although this also increases the chance of the skeleton deforming during the debonding stage. Coating each particle’s surface with a binder is another major factor to consider during the mixing process.

The feedstock mix is converted into solid pellets through a process known as granulation during the molding stage. To fabricate the best products, the temperatures of various metal injection machine components, including the nozzle used to inject the feedstock mix into the die and the screw which extrudes the mix through the die cavity, must be carefully maintained. The temperature of the die itself must also be managed, and it needs to be kept low enough to guarantee that removed components are set and solid.
Debinding, which involves removing the binding agent from the mold, is another crucial factor in metal injection molding, requiring extremely precise management. Two different processes are typically involved during debonding. In the first process, heat is applied to the mold and other equipment components to disintegrate any remaining feedstock material found on them. The second debinding procedure, which is only applicable to specific binder systems, involves dissolving the binder agent using suitable solvents like trichloroethane; again, heating is typically needed as the last step to complete the elimination of the binder material and solvent by evaporation.

Sintering creates a solid mass of material by applying pressure and heat to it without melting it to the point of liquefaction. Sintering is what provides a final product its strength. The procedure is done at temperatures usually below the metal’s melting point in controlled-environment furnaces in a vacuum and is crucial to prevent oxidation of the metal. The specific atmosphere of the sintering furnace depends on the metal type. For many metals, a simple atmosphere of hydrogen is sufficient. Still, for steel, where carbon serves as a crucial alloy ingredient, the atmosphere must contain one or more carbon compounds to maintain equilibrium with the steel, not to change this material’s properties.
Advantages of Metal Injection Molding
- Large production runs of metal components with intricate geometries and features are supported by metal injection molding. It works well for the high-volume production of small, precise parts with exact tolerances.
- Metal injection molding can precisely manufacture features, including internal and external threads, undercuts, holes, markings, and slots, without the need for additional machining or fabrication steps.
- Few limitations are placed on an item’s design through MIM. This process allows the opportunity to produce a wide range of shapes.
- Metal injection molding provides a smooth surface that can be improved through polishing.
- Metal injection molding can produce multiple parts from a single material piece.
- A variety of materials can be used in metal injection molding.
Disadvantages of Metal Injection Molding
- Metal injection molding can be pricey for modest production requirements.
- MIM may not be the best method for creating challenging metal fabrications.
- Metal injection molding is appropriate for small and medium-sized parts. Large part shaping, however, can reduce the mold’s ability to function properly and the furnace’s capacity, increasing process costs.
Choosing the Proper Metal Injection Molding Company
To make sure you have the most productive outcome when selecting a metal injection molding company, it is important to compare at least 4 companies using our metal injection molding directory. Each metal injection molding company has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the company for more information or request a quote. Review each metal injection molding company website using our patented website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple metal injection molding companies with the same message.