MIM

What Is MIM?
   Process Overview
When to Use MIM
   General Guidelines
   Technology Comparisons
   Materials Range
   Materials List
Design Guidelines
   Designing for Manufacturability
   Uniform Wall Thickness
   Thickness Transition
   Coring Holes
   Draft
   Ribs and Webs
   Fillets and Radii
   Threads
   Holes and Slots
   Undercuts
   Gating
   Parting Lines
   Decorative Features
   Sintering Support
Secondary Operations

Secondary Operations

Since the tolerance for the MIM process falls within ±0.3%–0.5%, many parts are sintered to final dimensions. If tighter tolerances are required for a certain feature, a secondary metalworking operation can be performed. MIM materials can be machined, tapped, drilled, broached, sized, ground, or welded like their wrought counterparts. MIM components can also be heat treated to improve strength, hardness, and wear resistance. And because MIM typically limits a part’s interconnected porosity to less than 0.2%, standard coloring and plating techniques can be applied without the need for special surface preparation.