Application Of MIM Parts in The Automotive Industry
The automobile industry has become the main application field of MIM parts, such as parts with complex shapes used in engines, gearboxes, turbochargers, locking mechanisms, steering systems, and electronic systems.
(1) Rocker arm of BMW engine
One is a rocker arm that rotates with a roller. This is a rocker arm made of low alloy steel that controls the variable valve timing stroke of the engine. It is characterized by its hollow structure and light weight, which is difficult to manufacture by other methods.
(2) Shift lever
This is a very large MIM part used in passenger car manual transmissions.
The production process of this part is: injection molding, sintering, hardening treatment and assembling the shaft.
The material used is Fe2Ni, and the parts need to be carburized and quenched after sintering.
(3) Turbocharger blades
The output of this kind of MIM variable area nozzle blades used in automotive diesel turbochargers is very large. This part can meet strict dimensional tolerance requirements, and the blade profile can reach an accuracy of ±0.015mm by cutting.
The blade is produced with a special mold, which has excellent sliding function when opened, and can reduce deformation when it comes out. MIM production can reduce production costs by 20%.
Now, the most advanced is the production of MIM superalloy parts, and its market share has been increasing. For example, Inconel 713 materials have ready-made MIM injection materials available.
In the MIM production process, due to the use of finely dispersed powders, the delivered parts have a very uniform microstructure, which greatly improves the microstructure of precision casting products.
