Metal Injection Molding vs. Die Casting: Differences and Comparison
Learn more about the contrast of metal injection molding and die casting processes.
Metal injection molding (MIM) and die casting are two common processes used to economically produce high volumes of small metal parts. Metal injection molding (MIM) adapts plastic injection molding techniques to produce metal parts by injecting metal powder bound to a thermoplastic binder. Unlike plastic injection molded parts, however, MIM parts require additional processing steps to remove the binder and sinter the powder. In the die casting process, molten metal is injected into a mold and then allowed to cool. Some post-processing clean-up is needed to remove casting flash. Die casting is used almost exclusively for non-ferrous metals.
MIM can produce small parts with complex features, whereas die casting is better suited to larger parts. Product designers have access to a wider range of materials using MIM than with die casting. Die casting is generally cheaper than MIM because it involves fewer production steps and cheaper raw materials. Production of the green MIM part is very fast, but the subsequent binder removal and densification processes reduce this advantage. Taking into account both the molding process and post-processing, the cycle time to produce a finished part by die casting is generally quicker than the MIM cycle time. This article will compare the processes, costs, materials, and applications of metal injection molding vs. die casting.
Metal Injection Molding Definition and Comparison to Die Casting
Metal injection molding was first invented in the 1970s by Raymond Welch. It is used to create metal parts with a process similar to that of plastic injection molding. The key difference is that with MIM, the raw material is metal powder coated with a thermoplastic binder which will later be burned out, whereas, with conventional plastic injection molding, additive materials such as glass or ceramic fibers are incorporated permanently into the part to enhance its mechanical properties.
The granulated metal/binder mix is fed into an injection molding barrel. The barrel contains a screw with a shaft whose diameter increases from the material inlet to the outlet to the mold. As the screw rotates, the powdered feedstock is forced into incrementally smaller volumes.
The compression generated by the screw is the primary mechanism responsible for heating and melting the plastic binder carrying the metal powder. The barrel is also heated to supply additional energy. Once enough material is melted, the screw retracts and then forces the metal powder suspended in the plastic binder into a two-part mold that is clamped shut during the injection, the plastic binder then transports the metal powder into the mold. Once cooled, the green part is ejected from the mold. To achieve its final properties, the binder must be removed from the structure. The empty spaces left by the binder must be filled by sintering to create a fully dense, structurally capable part. This green part is then exposed to solvents or a catalyst, and elevated temperatures help remove the thermoplastic binder, which is called the brown part. Finally, the part is placed in a furnace to sinter the metal powder particles together. During this process, the part can shrink from 15-30% (depending on the material used). After sintering, the part will have its final mechanical properties. Figure 1 below shows examples of metal injection molded parts:
Metal injection molded parts.
Image Credit: https://www.indo-mim.com/metal-injection-molding-process
What Is the Die Casting Process?
What Are the Advantages of Metal Injection Molding Compared to Die Casting?
Listed below are some advantages of metal injection molding compared to die casting:
- MIM can manufacture a wide variety of small, complex parts with fine features using the same techniques in standard plastic injection molding. Die casting, on the other hand, struggles to produce fine feature parts.
- The MIM process only makes use of high temperatures during the sintering process. A molten metal feedstock is not required like with die casting. This also means that materials with very high melting temperatures can be used without the challenges of processing and handling these metals in molten form.
What Are the Disadvantages of Metal Injection Molding Compared to Die Casting?
Listed below are some disadvantages of metal injection molding compared to die casting:
- Due to the complex high wear resistant tooling required for metal injection molded parts, metal injection molding (MIM) equipment can be expensive. MIM molds do not last as long as diecast molds because of the abrasive nature of the metal powder feedstock.
- MIM requires multiple post-molding steps to produce the final part. This adds cost to the final parts compared to those produced by die casting.
- Metal injection molded parts shrink significantly during the densification process. Mold design requires an advanced understanding of the properties of the binder, the metal, and the interaction between the two during post-processing to produce final parts that can meet dimensional requirements.
Die Casting Definition and Comparison to Metal Injection Molding
Die casting is a process for manufacturing metal parts by injecting molten metal into a mold. This process was first invented in 1838 and was patented in 1849. The first die casting materials used were lead and tin. In 1914, the process was further developed to also accommodate the use of aluminum and zinc. Today magnesium, copper, and silicon are also used. Die casting is limited to non-ferrous materials. Die casting ferrous metals is possible, but is an uncommon practice.
The molten metal to be cast can be injected under high pressure or simply flow in by gravity feed. Once the part has been allowed to cool, it can be ejected from the mold. This can take up to a minute, depending on part size and wall thicknesses. Excess material due to gates, runners, and parting line flash must be removed either using a manual process or a press die. To learn more, see our guide on the Process of Die Casting.
A typical die casting machine is shown in Figure 2:
A typical die casting machine.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com/Surasak_Photo
What are the Advantages of Die Casting Compared to Metal Injection Molding?
Listed below are some advantages of die casting compared to metal injection molding:
- Die casting molds last longer than MIM molds. In some cases, a single die-casting mold can be used to make a million parts, whereas a MIM mold can only produce a couple hundred thousand.
- Diecast parts do not shrink the way MIM parts do. This means that molds can be more easily manufactured to the required size.
What are the Disadvantages of Die Casting Compared to Metal Injection Molding?
Listed below are some disadvantages of die casting compared to metal injection molding:
- Die casting is typically used with non-ferrous metals. While ferrous metals like steel can be die-casted too, these materials have very high melting points. This can significantly reduce the life of the molds. This makes die casting of limited use for high-performance and high-temperature applications.
- Molten metal injected at high pressures and temperatures will often entrap gasses within the material. This results in porosity which ultimately reduces the part’s mechanical strength. MIM parts have significantly less porosity as the pre-sintered part has a lot of room for air to escape during sintering.
| Attribute | Metal Injection Molding | Die Casting |
|---|---|---|
Attribute Can process ferrous metals | Metal Injection Molding Yes | Die Casting Not Typically |
Attribute Wall Thickness | Metal Injection Molding 0.040” to 0.120” | Die Casting 0.04 to 0.2 “ |
Attribute Low-cost production | Metal Injection Molding No | Die Casting Yes |
Attribute Multi-step process | Metal Injection Molding Yes | Die Casting No |
Attribute Materials | Metal Injection Molding Any material that can be turned into a powder form, including some difficult special cases: Tungsten | Die Casting Aluminum |
MIM is better suited to engineering applications that require high-performance materials and small, complex parts. Die casting is better suited to lower-performance metals and larger part sizes.
Metal Injection Molding vs. Die Casting: Lead Cost Comparison
Due to the cost of mold manufacture for MIM and die casting, both technologies require relatively large production volumes to justify the mold costs. However, at medium to large volumes, both technologies produce very low-cost parts. Die casting is up to 30% less expensive than MIM due to there being no need for multiple post-processing steps as is the case with MIM.
Metal Injection Molding vs. Die Casting: Speed Comparison
Comparing only the speed of the actual molding process, metal injection molding (MIM) is faster than die casting. However, MIM requires post-molding processes that make its overall cycle time to produce a finished part longer than for a finished diecast part.
Metal Injection Molding vs. Die Casting: Volume Comparison
Metal injection molding and die casting are both high production-volume technologies. Typical production runs on a mold for both can easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of parts. MIM is ideally suited to high-volume production of intricate parts, whereas die casting is better suited to high-volume runs of larger, simpler parts.
Metal Injection Molding vs. Die Casting: Materials Comparison
Die casting typically only makes use of non-ferrous metals like: aluminum, copper, zinc, magnesium, and lead. MIM can make use of ferrous metals as well as more advanced materials like titanium and nickel alloys. One of the most commonly used MIM materials is stainless steel. MIM can essentially be used with any metal that can be converted into powder form.
What Are the Mutual Alternatives to the Metal Injection Molding and Die Casting?
A mutual alternative to MIM and die casting is:
- Selective Laser Melting: Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a 3D printing technique used to produce complex metal parts. It consists of a laser selectively melting metal powder in the shape of the part cross-section. Once a layer is complete, another layer of metal powder is deposited on top and the process repeats until the part is complete. SLM can produce fine features like MIM.
What Are the Similarities Between Metal Injection Molding and Die Casting?
Listed below are some similarities between metal injection molding and die casting:
- MIM and die casting can both produce metal parts. However, die casting is restricted to a more limited group of suitable materials..
- MIM and die casting both have material injected into molds at high pressures. This allows for parts with fine features and thin walls.
What Are the Other Comparisons for Metal Injection Molding Besides Die Casting?
Listed below is an alternative to MIM:
- Metal Injection Molding vs. Binder Jetting: Binder Jetting is a 3D printing technique that can bind the metal powder together without the need for a mold by binding powder on the print bed to build the final part. Parts can then be post-processed and sintered in a similar manner to MIM to produce full-strength metal parts. Binder jetting is, however, best suited to low-volume production.
What Are the Other Comparisons for Die Casting Besides Metal Injection Molding?
Listed below is an alternative to die casting:
- Die Casting vs. Sand Casting: Sand casting is one of the oldest metal processing techniques and is still used in many different industries. A special type of sand is packed around a core with the same shape as the final part. Filling and vent holes are then cut into the sand mold. Metal is cast into the mold, and once cooled, the mold is broken open to reveal the metal part and any sprues, feeders, and flash must be ground off.
Summary
This article presented the differences between metal injection molding and die casting, explained what they are, and discussed their different attributes. To learn more about metal injection molding and die casting, contact a Xometry representative.
Xometry provides a wide range of manufacturing capabilities, including injection molding and other value-added services for all of your prototyping and production needs. Visit our website to learn more or to request a free, no-obligation quote.
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