Why Powder Metallurgy?
Powder metallurgy (PM) produces near-net-shape metal parts that would be prohibitively expensive or impossible to machine from solid stock. By compacting and sintering metal powder, PM achieves complex internal geometries, controlled porosity, and material combinations that traditional metalworking can't match.
Metal Injection Molding (MIM) takes this further — producing small, intricate parts with the geometric freedom of plastic injection molding but in metal. Think watch components, firearm parts, surgical instruments, and electronic connectors.
Vietnam's PM industry is smaller than its CNC or sheet metal sectors, but DEWIN works with specialized facilities that produce world-class sintered and MIM parts — at 35–50% lower cost than Chinese equivalents. These factories serve Japanese and Korean OEMs and meet the same quality standards.
Capabilities
Metal Injection Molding (MIM)
Small, complex parts (0.5g–200g) with excellent surface finish and tight tolerances. 95–99% density. Ideal for high-volume production of intricate components.
Press & Sinter (PM)
Cost-effective for medium-complexity parts at very high volumes. Self-lubricating bearings, gears, structural parts, and filters. 85–92% density standard.
Secondary Operations
Sizing, coining, machining, heat treatment, steam treatment, oil impregnation, plating, and assembly. All available to achieve your final part requirements.
Tooling & Design Support
In-house tool design optimized for PM. We advise on feature design, wall thickness, density requirements, and process selection (MIM vs press-sinter vs machining).
Materials & Specifications
Materials
- Stainless Steel 316L, 17-4PH
- Low-Alloy Steel (Fe-Ni, Fe-Cu)
- Tool Steel (M2, T15)
- Tungsten Alloys
- Copper & Bronze
- Iron-based (FC-0208, FN-0205)
- Titanium (MIM)
MIM Specs
- Tolerance: ±0.05mm
- Density: 95–99%
- Weight: 0.5–200g
- Min wall: 0.3mm
- Surface: Ra 0.8–1.6 μm
- MOQ: 1,000 pcs
Press-Sinter Specs
- Tolerance: ±0.05mm
- Density: 85–92%
- Size: 3–100mm
- Weight: up to 500g
- MOQ: 3,000 pcs
- After sizing: ±0.02mm
Applications
Automotive
Gears, synchronizer hubs, VVT components, sensor housings, structural brackets
Consumer Electronics
SIM card trays, hinge components, camera rings, watch cases, connector pins
Medical
Surgical instrument components, orthodontic brackets, endoscope parts
Firearms & Defense
Trigger components, sight bases, magazine parts, firing pin assemblies
Power Tools
Gears, clutch components, cam followers, ratchet mechanisms
Industrial
Self-lubricating bearings, filter elements, lock components, valve seats
When to Choose Powder Metallurgy
✓ PM is ideal when:
- Part has complex internal geometry
- Volume is 1,000+ pieces (MIM) or 3,000+ (PM)
- Part weight is under 200g
- You need controlled porosity (filters, bearings)
- Material waste must be minimized (<3% scrap)
✗ Consider alternatives when:
- Volume is under 500 pieces → CNC machining
- Part is larger than 100mm → die casting or CNC
- You need 100% density → forging or machining
- Simple geometry → stamping or turning
- Rapid prototyping needed → 3D printing or CNC
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between MIM and press-and-sinter?
MIM (Metal Injection Molding) combines metal powder with a binder, injects it like plastic, then sinters. It produces complex 3D shapes with excellent detail. Press-and-sinter compacts powder in a die and sinters — simpler shapes but lower cost for high volumes.
What materials are available?
Stainless steel (316L, 17-4PH), low-alloy steel (Fe-Ni, Fe-Cu), tool steel, tungsten alloys, copper, iron-based alloys, and specialty materials. MIM can achieve 95–99% theoretical density.
What's the minimum order quantity?
Press-and-sinter: typically 3,000+ pieces to justify tooling. MIM: 1,000+ pieces. The per-piece cost drops significantly at higher volumes, making PM most cost-effective at 10,000+ pieces.
How strong are powder metallurgy parts?
MIM parts achieve 95–99% density and mechanical properties close to wrought metal. Press-and-sinter parts are typically 85–92% density but can be sized, coined, or infiltrated for higher strength.
What size parts can you make?
MIM: 0.5g–200g, typically under 50mm. Press-and-sinter: 3mm–100mm, up to 500g. For larger parts, we recommend CNC machining or die casting instead.
What tolerances can you achieve?
As-sintered: ±0.05mm (±0.3% of dimension). After sizing/coining: ±0.02mm on critical dimensions. MIM achieves tighter tolerances than press-and-sinter on complex geometries.
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