Metal Injection Molding (MIM) Cobalt Optical Communications Parts

Overview

Figure 1: MIM Process Flowchart

Currently, around the world efforts are being made to complete the fiber optic network. Accompanying this development, there has been a surge in demand for fiber-optic related products made from cobalt materials offering low thermal expansion. In particular, the complex-shaped packages have produced a high demand for low-cost, metal-powder injection molded products over conventional machine-assembled items. Our products have been created drawing on the Company's nearly 10-year track record with MIM technology. The MIM process, as shown in the flowchart appearing in Figure 1, is a manufacturing process for mass-producing complicated three-dimensional objects in near-net shapes.

Features

Figure 2: Samples of MIM Cobalt Optical Communications Parts

1. Molds and Dimensional Precision

Compared with conventional machining products, our products are low-cost, and, as Figure 2 shows, enable the production of complicated three-dimensional forms of near-net shaped sintered bodies. Furthermore, the dimensional precision is ±0.5

2.Special Features

(1) Low Thermal Expansion

With almost the same thermal expansion coefficient as molten manufacturing materials, it is ideal as an adhesive (See Chart 1.).

Chart 1: Thermal Expansion CoefficientUnit：10^-6/K
	30～400℃	30～800℃
MIM sintered items	4.20～4.80	9.60～10.20
Molten manufacturing materials(ASTM F15)	4.60～5.20	(10.4)

( ) refers to ASTM F15, given as an example.

(2) Highly Airtight

The relative density exceeds 96%, which is an adequate degree of airtightness for packaging applications.
(3) High Purity

Due to its high density, it has few holes, as seen below (Figure 3), and is well-suited to metal plating.

Figure 3: Microstructure