China Business Intelligence Network News: Metal powder injection molding (MIM) is the introduction of modern plastic injection molding technology into the field of powder metallurgy, which integrates plastic molding technology, polymer chemistry, powder metallurgy technology and metal materials science and other disciplines. A new type of “close to pure-forming” technology for parts. The MIM process has become a new type of “close to pure-forming” technology that is rapidly developing and promising in the international powder metallurgy field, and is hailed as the “most popular part forming technology” by the industry today.
1. Definition of metal powder injection molding
Metal powder injection molding (MIM) is a new type of component that introduces modern plastic injection molding technology into the field of powder metallurgy and integrates plastic molding technology, polymer chemistry, powder metallurgy technology and metal materials science called “close to pure-forming” technology. It can use mold to inject the parts, and quickly manufacture high-precision, high-density, three-dimensional and complex-shaped structural parts through sintering. It can quickly and accurately materialize design ideas into products with certain structural and functional characteristics, and can be directly processed Mass production.
MIM technology combines the technical advantages of plastic injection molding and powder metallurgy. It not only has the advantages of less conventional powder metallurgy processes, no cutting or less cutting, and high economic efficiency, but also overcomes the uneven material and mechanical properties of traditional powder metallurgy products. The main shortcomings of low performance, thin wall difficult to form and complex structure are suitable for mass production of small, precise, complex three-dimensional shapes and the manufacture of metal parts with special requirements.
The MIM process has become a new type of “close to pure-forming” technology that is rapidly developing and promising in the international powder metallurgy field, and is hailed as the “most popular part forming technology” by the industry today. According to the “Advanced Manufacturing and Assembly Survey Report” released by McKinsey in May 2018, MIM technology ranks second among the top 10 advanced manufacturing technologies in the world.
2. Development policy of metal powder injection molding industry
The metal powder injection molding industry is one of the high-tech industries prioritized by the country. China has promulgated a number of important policy documents, laws and regulations to encourage and support the development of this industry, to provide support for the development of the metal powder injection molding industry.
Source: Compiled by China Commercial Industry Research Institute
Third, the development status of the metal powder injection molding industry
1. Market scale of metal powder injection molding
China’s MIM market has grown from 4.9 billion yuan in 2016 to 7.93 billion yuan in 2020, with an average annual compound growth rate of 12.79%. It is expected that the MIM market will reach 8.9 billion yuan in 2021.
Data source: Compiled by the Injection Molding Professional Committee of the Powder Metallurgy Branch of the China Iron and Steel Association and the China Commercial Industry Research Institute
2. Quality classification of metal powder injection molding materials
At present, due to the market demand for consumer electronics, MIM materials are still dominated by stainless steel, with a market share of 70%, low-alloy steel about 21%, cobalt-based alloys 6%, tungsten-based alloys about 2%, and other small amounts of titanium, Copper and cemented carbide, etc.
Data source: Compiled by China Commercial Industry Research Institute
3. The proportion of downstream applications of metal powder injection molding
From the perspective of downstream applications, the three major areas of China’s MIM market are mobile phones (59.1%), hardware (12.0%) and automobiles (10.3%).
Data source: Compiled by China Commercial Industry Research Institute
4. Development prospects of metal powder injection molding industry
I. Manufacturing automation is good for industry development
In the context of the rapid development of downstream industries such as consumer electronics, automobiles, medical, hardware tools, and mechanical instruments, the requirements for miniaturization of precision metal parts, high dimensional accuracy, and rapid market response capabilities of enterprises in the industry are increasing. Relying solely on labor can no longer meet the industry’s requirements for extremely precise processing, extremely low defective product rate, and rapid market response. Improving the automation and intelligence level of the manufacturing process can significantly reduce the dimensional tolerances and defective products caused by human factors, which can greatly improve Production efficiency and speed up market response. In recent years, enterprises in the industry have increasingly demanded automated and intelligent production equipment and testing equipment, and the degree of automation and intelligence has rapidly increased, driving the development of the industry.
II. The expansion of downstream application fields is beneficial to the development of the industry
With the in-depth development of my country’s MIM industry, all MIM companies continue to deepen their technological innovation capabilities to seize more market shares. At present, in my country’s MIM industry, some companies already have strong technological innovation capabilities. Through continuous research on the industry’s cutting-edge technologies, they promote the ever-increasing performance of MIM products and can be applied to more downstream products.
Post time: Oct-08-2021