CIM Process

CIM process is a process that uses injection molding techniques to create complex ceramic parts, involving mixing ceramic powder with a binder, injecting the mixture into a mold, removing the binder (debinding), and then sintering the resulting part to achieve its final form.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the CIM process:

CIM Process Feedstock Preparation

Fine ceramic powders (like alumina, zirconia, or others) are mixed with a polymer binder to create a “feedstock”.
This mixture is then granulated or pelletized for easier handling and injection.

CIM Process Injection Molding

The feedstock is heated and injected into a custom-designed mold cavity under high pressure.
This process creates a “green part” (a part made of powdered material compressed and held together by the binder) with the desired shape.

CIM Process Debinding

The green part is then subjected to a debinding process, where the binder is removed.
This can be done through thermal evaporation (heating the part) or solvent washing (using a solvent to dissolve the binder).
This leaves behind a porous, “brown” part.

CIM Process Sintering

The brown part is heated to a high temperature in a furnace, a process called sintering.
During sintering, the ceramic particles fuse together, forming a dense, solid ceramic component.

Finishing (Optional)

Depending on the application, the final ceramic part may undergo additional finishing processes, such as polishing, grinding, or laser cutting.

With 20+ years of knowledge and experience, CIM has proven to be a reliable manufacturing method if you need volume production quantities of components in a superior material that can withstand physical, thermal, electrical and chemical challenges. It is an effective way producing complex precision parts with a high grade of repeatability and reproducibility.