Innovations in Micro Metal Injection Molding Process by Lost Form Technology

Abstract:

The production method of micro sacrificial plastic mold insert metal injection molding, namely μ-SPiMIM process has been proposed to solve specific problems involving the miniaturization of MIM. The sacrificial plastic mold (SP-mold) with fine structures was prepared by injection-molding polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into Ni-electroform, which is a typical LIGA (Lithographie-Galvanoformung-Abformung) process. Stainless steel 316L feedstock was injectionmolded into the SP-mold which had micro structures with multi-pillars. The green compact was demolded as one component with the SP-mold, which was decomposed along with binder constituent of feedstock in debinding process. This study focused on the effects of metal particle size and processing conditions on the shrinkage, transcription and surface roughness of sintered parts, which were evaluated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) observation.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 534-536)
• Pages: 369-372
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.534-536.369
• Online since: January 2007
• Authors: Kazuaki Nishiyabu, Yasuhiro Kanoko, Shigeo Tanaka
• Keywords: LIGA, Micro Metal Injection Molding, Particle Size, Sacrificial Plastic Mold, Stainless Steel (SS), Surface Roughness (SR), Transcription

References

[1] R. Ruprecht, T. Benzler, T. Hanemann, K. Muller, J. Konys, V. Piotter, G. Schanz, L. Schmidt, A. Thies, H. Wollmer, J. Haußelt, Various replication techniques for manufacturing threedimensional metal microstructures, Microsystem Technologies 4, 28-31 (1997).

DOI: 10.1007/s005420050087

[2] R. Ruprecht, T. Gietzelt, K. Muller, V. Piotter, J. Haußelt, Injection molding of microstructures components from plastics, metal and ceramics, Microsystem technologies 8, 351-358 (2002).

DOI: 10.1007/s00542-001-0153-7

[3] K. Nishiyabu, S. Matuzaki, S. Tanaka, V. Piotter, Micro evaluation methodology for micro metal injection molding, International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials (PM2TEC2003), June 8-12, (2003).

[4] T. Osada, K. Nishiyabu, S. Tanaka, H. Miura, Effects of mixing condition on the feedstock properties for micro size parts by MIM, International Conference on Powder Metallurgy & Particulate Materials (PM 2TEC2003), June 8-12, (2003).