Advances in titanifum metal injection molding

The approaches to production of titanium powder injection molded parts are reviewed. Although cosmetic (i.e. non-load bearing) parts have been successfully fabricated from commercially pure titanium historically, oxygen levels have been too high (because of degraded ductility) for structural use, particularly with the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, However, recent advances in starting powders, binders and sintering facilities now allow oxygen levels in the Ti-6Al-4V alloy to be controlled to about 0.2 wt. % oxygen. This should result in significant expansion of the titanium MIM market place into aerospace, automobiles, surgical instruments, dentistry, communication devices (such as computers and cell phones), knives and guns.