Titanium Metal Injection Molding, a Qualified Manufacturing Process

Abstract:

Metal injection molding (MIM) of titanium for implantable applications has been referred to as “the holy grail” of MIM. The challenges of forming a highly reactive, finely divided metal powder are well understood within the industry [1]. Titanium has the dual challenge of being both highly reactive and very sensitive to contamination. Over the years there has been tremendous activity in academia and industry regarding overcoming the challenges of titanium MIM [2]. The most relevant of those challenges is meeting the chemical and mechanical requirements of the Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) alloy in a production environment. Praxis has qualified its titanium MIM process to meet the strict requirements of the medical industry. During this validation, the consistency of the process and product was evaluated at numerous points. This discussion focuses on input controls and testing the outputs of the process from both the perspective of interstitial content and mechanical properties. These characteristics cannot be non-destructively inspected and must be monitored by a statistical sampling plan to ensure quality during production. In order to develop a sampling plan that meets the quality requirements of the customer, it is necessary to determine the capabilities of the process. This article provides insight into the process validation of Praxis’ titanium MIM technology.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 704)
• Pages: 122-129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.704.122
• Online since: August 2016
• Authors: Jobe Piemme*, Joseph A. Grohowski
• Keywords: Metal Injection Moulding, Titanium

References

[1] German, R.M. Progress in Titanium Metal Powder Injection Molding. In Materials, 2013, 6, 3641-3662.

DOI: 10.3390/ma6083641

[2] German, R.M. Titanium powder injection moulding: A review of the current status of materials, processing, properties and applications. In Powder Injection Moulding International, 2009, Vol. 3 No. 4, 21-37.

[3] Piemme,J., Grohowski, J. Titanium MIM: Performance and Capability. MPIF 2014 conference proceedings.

[4] R.M. German, Metal Injection Molding, A Comprehensive MIM Design Guide. 2011, Metal Powder Industries Federation, Princeton, NJ.