DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED MATERIALS BY AQUEOUS METAL INJECTION MOLDING

ABSTRACT Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a well known technique for the cost effective production of complex multidimensional components. In general, such components are small, less than 25 grams, and often made in high production volumes. They are employed in a variety of industry sectors, for example, automotive and firearms. Application to aerospace industry has been limited due to demanding specifications, relatively low production runs, and difficulty in working with relatively advanced materials such as nickel-based superalloys. The development of a water based agar metal injection molding binder has allowed us to mold and sinter large superalloy components with mechanical properties exceeding those of investment cast superalloys. Tensile and fatigue properties of nickel-based superalloy IN718 exceed cast properties and meet aerospace specifications.