How does it compare – AllianceMIM, Metal Injection Moulding

Compared with casting
The homogeneity of the microstructure and the very fine grains allows better mechanical properties and better surface definition. Dimensional accuracy is also far better, especially on small parts.
Compared with machining in a bar
There is not a favourite direction and welds are cleaner. Dimensional accuracy is better in machining and part can have some elastic behaviour due to the use of extruded bar.
Compared to forging
MIM has no fibre into the material and parts are less elastic and resistance especially for long and thin parts is lower. MIM parts are more precise with more details and have no shell that can be problematic for finishing operation.
Compared to 3D printing
Surface definition is far better. Parts come out of the furnace without any support and no further machining is needed. Parts have no favourite direction. The powder type used for 3D printing is quite coarse, the defects can be bigger and due to the local melting of each powder grain, some internal stresses can remain. Tolerances are also better in MIM.

	MIM	Machining	Lost wax casting	Forging-stamping
Metallurgy	* * *	* * *	*	* * * *
Creativity	* * *	* *	* * *	*
Accuracy	* * *	* * * *	*	* *
Features (split planes etc.)	* *	* * *	*	*
Tool cost	*	* * * *	* *	* *
Lead time (production)	* * *	* * * *	* *	*
Productivity	* * * *	*	* * *	* * *
Lead time (prototype)	*	* * * *	* *	*

MIM

Machining

Lost wax casting

Forging-stamping

Metallurgy

* * *

* * * *

Creativity

* * *

* *

* * *

Accuracy

* * *

* * * *

* *

Features (split planes etc.)

* *

* * *

Tool cost

* * * *

* *

Lead time (production)

* * *

* * * *

* *

Productivity

* * * *

* * *

Lead time (prototype)

* * * *

* *