INJECTION-MOLDING - A NEW UNIQUE PROCESS IN POWDER-METALLURGY

The development and application of injection moulding of complex parts from metal powder is discussed. This waste free production method is characterised by the use of fine powders combined with a polymer binder and moulding on machines similar to those used for the injection moulding of plastics. Trends in the development of this new powder technology are outlined. It is yet to be widely developed in Russia mainly because of the lack of industrial equipment for moulding and sintering, but trial technology has been developed for manufacturing complex structural parts from fine powder of high alloy steels, hard alloys, and metal ceramics.