Global PM leader GKN Sinter Metals optimistic as MIM gains acceptance with end-users

GKN Sinter Metals, a leading global powder metallurgy (PM) parts supplier, opened the doors of its Bad Langensalza metal injection moulding (MIM) plant to Powder Injection Moulding International late last year. GKN manufactures several hundred tons of MIM parts per year for the automotive industry and other industrial customers worldwide, with the main materials used being Fe-Ni alloys, 42CrMo4, and 17-4PH as well as superalloys for high temperature applications. The company’s Bad Langensalza plant is among the five largest MIM producers world-wide and the growth rate has been steadily increasing and further significant growth is expected in the foreseeable future.

“We are optimistic that the growth rates of the past five years will continue. At GKN Sinter Metals we offer the full range of powder metal technologies and have the most advanced technology centre in Radevormwald which supports our development projects. It enables us to respond fast and flexible to customer requests with all kind of technical challenges. Other innovative binders for debinding in water or air are under investigation. As GKN is present all over the globe we can support customers worldwide.”, stated Jens Wolf, the Plant Manager at Bad Langensalza.

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“We differentiate from our competitors in investment casting and machining through high quality, net shape capability, tight tolerances, low cost, less scrap and better utilisation of material. Whenever customers launched projects with us they received a superior technical solution and saved a lot of money”, continued Jens Wolf.

GKN expects that many more innovations in MIM are yet to come. “The potential for innovation begins with better tailored powders used in MIM. There is also still room for improvement in the area of production equipment, as GKN has demonstrated with unique developments over a period of more than 10 years”.
“This technology is not just moulding and sintering but requires sophisticated process knowledge and mould design in order to deliver tight tolerances and highly complex parts with a consistent quality.” Read the full feature

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