Superhigh strength metal injection molded low alloy steels by in-process microstructural control

Abstract

Metal Injection molding (MIM) process is an advanced powder processing technique because of net shaping with shape complexity at low processing energy and 100% material utilization. This study has been performed to clarify and to optimize the relationship between the mechanical properties and the microstructures for the superhigh strengthening sintered low alloy steels (Fe-Ni system) by using MIM process. A 6 mass%Ni MIM steel showed excellent properties of 2000 MPa tensile strength, 5% elongation and 500 MPa fatigue strength. Instead of Fe-Ni, moreover, the Fe-Mn low alloy steel was investigated to obtain high performance properties, because Ni has a harmful influence upon the human body, for example, a Ni allergy.