New materials debut in MIM standards update

The Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) has issued its Materials Standards for Metal Injection Molded Parts, 2000 ed., the first update since its last publication in 1993-94. This update contains a variety of new information including new materials, impact energy values, soft magnetic properties, Young's Modulus, elastic constants, and corrosion properties of metal injection molded materials. 

Tessa Stillman of the MPIF notes that creation of standards is an ongoing process. The first edition that was published in 1993-94 was a first-time effort by the MPIF. Members provided funding of the test work themselves, and decided which materials and properties to standardize. 

"We're now having a couple of test programs to fill in the blanks of things that are missing," says Stillman. "New information will be published as it becomes available and will be published in the next edition available by 2003." 

Stillman notes that with respect to stainless steel, several new things are under development, including an impact energy test for MIM-430L and sintered MIM-17-4 PH heat-treated material. "Those are missing, so a test program is under way to develop those values, along with Young's Modulus Values for MIM-430L, a new material that was included in this edition," says Stillman. "Testing will be under way in the next month, and members are making samples for the test program now," she adds. 

The group will also perform corrosion resistance testing on the 430L. "Corrosion testing consists of three tests, or testing performed in three different media: 2 percent sulfuric acid, copper sulfate, and boiling water." 

The updated standard also contains unnotched Charpy impact energy values for stainless steels and low-alloy steels. Another new item is the standard for soft magnetic alloys (see "Standard Adds Magnetic Alloys," November 2000 IMMC, p. 20 for a preliminary report). A soft magnetic alloy is a material that can be magnetized when a magnetic field is applied, and demagnetized when the field is removed, which differs from a permanently magnetized material. "The standard is a measure of how good the material is," says Maryann Wright, engineering supervisor for the Powder Metal Products Div. of Remington Arms and chair of the Standards Committee that wrote the latest edition. 

A Call for Help 
Looking to the future and new editions of the standards, the MPIF is seeking more industry participation. Wright says that a larger number and greater variety of companies and individuals are required to help develop future standards. "The more participation we have, the better representation we have for the industry," says Wright. 

"We're always looking for more members to participate, as our goal is to represent the industry as a whole as much as possible. If you have concerns that we're being too conservative, then join with us and participate in the study. Anyone who's a member can have at least one representative on the Standards Committee." 

Stillman points out that the committee will also be looking at two things for future testing: new or additional materials to be standardized, and new and additional properties to be standardized. 

Materials Standards for Metal Injection Molded Parts, 2000 ed., is published by MPIF, Princeton, NJ. To learn more, call (609) 452-7700; fax (609) 987-8523; e-mail [email protected]; or visit www.mpif.org. 

The standards, which cost $22, are also available through the IMM Book Club. For details or to order, call Renee Barker at (303) 321-2322; fax (303) 321-3552; e-mail [email protected]; or visit www.immbookclub.com.