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Metal Injection Molding

Very fine metal powders, generally less than 45 micrometers and often less than 10 micrometers, are blended with a polymer or wax-based binder. The mixture undergoes a process similar to the plastic injection molding process. Then, the polymer is burnt off by placing the molded greens in a low-temperature oven, or the binder is partially removed by solvent extraction. The greens are sintered in a furnace, see pressure sintering for more information on powder production and mixing as well as on sintering.

Ceramic Injection Molding

The same process is being extensively used nowadays for precision forming of ceramics for high-techonlogy applications. The raw material is mixd with a binder, such as thermoplastic polymer (polypropelene, low-density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, or wax). The binder is usually removed by pyrolysis, and the part is sintered by firing. Again, see pressure sintering for more information.

Source: Kalpakjian, Manufacturing Processes for Engineering Materials.