Feedstock aids microPIM parts production: Tiny cogs test the imagination of powder professionals as small parts demand ever-finer materials…

Abstract

With commercially available PIM feedstock reportedly unable to fulfill the requirements for the microPIM components under investigation, researchers at the Institute for Materials Research III (IMR) in Karlsruhe, Germany, have developed new binder systems for feedstock based on both nanoceramic and ultrafine metallic powders. In the case of ceramics (zirconia) the powders can be as fine as 300 nm, and for metals in the 3μm–5μm particle size range. The powders are used to develop PIM gearwheels ( Figure 1) and other components for a demonstrator micro annular gear pump design ( Figure 2); however, the technology is also said to be applicable to micro gears used in watches.