Metal Injection Molding: the route, the tolerances it holds, materials and design tips, with an indicative cost. One of 56 processes in the free finder.
PowderFamily
+/-0.05mmTypical tol.
5Route steps
47Parts in finder
Metal injection moulding mixes fine metal powder with a binder, injection-moulds it like plastic, then debinds and sinters to near full density.
At a glance
When to use it, and when not
Best for
Small, complex, high-volume metal parts with good detail, such as surgical and consumer hardware.
Watch for
High tooling cost, sintering shrinkage to control, and a small-part size limit.
Step by step
The typical route
Raw material to finished part. Steps vary with material, volume and tolerance; this is the free route from the finder.
Feedstock
Mix fine metal powder with a binder into feedstock.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Injection mould
Injection-mould the green part.
Tooling Mold Tolerance - Lead -
Debind
Remove the binder (solvent/thermal).
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Sinter
Sinter to near-full density (part shrinks ~15 to 20%).
Tooling Furnace Tolerance - Lead -
Machine & inspect
Machine any tight features, inspect.
Tooling CNC Tolerance - Lead -
Precision
Tolerances it can hold
TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials it suits
Grade
Why it suits this
316L/17-4PH stainless
Strong, corrosion
Low-alloy steel
Strong, cheaper
Titanium
Light, biocompatible
Design
Design tips
A few general pointers for Metal Injection Molding. The full, part-specific DFM list is in the dossier.
Thick solid sections.Core out to even walls.
Tolerance tighter than as-sintered.Add a machined feature.
Cost
What it costs
Small, complex, high-density metal parts (like plastic injection, but metal); needs volume to pay the mold.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for your part at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$2.7 to 5.9per part at 1,000 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on this process and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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Metal injection moulding mixes fine metal powder with a binder, injection-moulds it like plastic, then debinds and sinters to near full density. The typical route is: Feedstock; Injection mould; Debind; Sinter; Machine & inspect. Small, complex, high-volume metal parts with good detail, such as surgical and consumer hardware.
What does Metal Injection Molding cost per part?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $2.7 to 5.9 per part at low volume and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. Model estimates, not quotes.
What tolerance can Metal Injection Molding hold?
Typically about +/-0.05 mm, tighter with extra finishing operations at higher cost.
What materials suit Metal Injection Molding?
Common choices are 316L/17-4PH stainless (Strong, corrosion); Low-alloy steel (Strong, cheaper); Titanium (Light, biocompatible).
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
