TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN POWDER INJECTION-MOLDING

Technological progress has removed many of the barriers to widespread application of powder injection molding (PIM). This presentation focus es on the knowledge needed for the next round of PIM process improveme nts. Some of the optimal powder characteristics are identified based o n prior research. Further, many new applications for PIM concepts are identified which include components for aerospace, microelectronic, au tomotive, pollution control, and structural applications. In turn, sev eral new materials will be sure to become available by using PIM proce ssing.