Method for performing metal injection with counter pressure

Abstract

A system for metal injection and counter pressure has: a particle providing assembly; and a forming unit having a melting module, a counter pressure module and a mold module; wherein, the particle providing assembly provides particles with metal powder and a binding agent to the melting module, the particles are formed into melted flow by the melting module, the melted flow is provided to the mold module, the counter pressure module provides a counter gas with predetermined pressure to the mold module, the melted flow forms into a green part inside of the mold module.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a system for metal injection and counter pressure and method using the same, and more particularly, to a system and method capable of applying a gas counter pressure onto its metallic injection material, as known as “feedstock”, for enabling the metal powder to be distributed uniformly so as to increase tensile strength while improving uneven shrinkage during sintering.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Metal injection molding (MIM) offers a manufacturing capability for producing complex shapes in large quantities. The process utilizes fine metal powders which are custom formulated with a binder (various thermoplastics, waxes, and other materials) into a feedstock which is granulated and then fed into a cavity (or multiple cavities) of a conventional injection molding machine. After the “green” component is removed, most of the binder is extracted by thermal or solvent processing and the rest is removed as the component is s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a metal injection system and method that can apply a gas counter pressure to its feedstock, resulting in improved tensile strength and a more uniform distribution of metal powders in the feedstock to resolve the issue of uneven shrinkage during sintering. The system includes a melting module, a mold module, and a counter pressure module that applies a predetermined pressure to the mold module during molding of the green part. The density of the green part is increased with the application of the counter gas, and the feedstock is compacted and the tensile strength is enhanced while the metal powders are evenly distributed.

Problems solved by technology

As with other injection molding processes and products, MIM also has its own set of disadvantages, including warpage deformation and shrinkage problems.

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