MATERIALS FOR MICROMINIATURE POWDER INJECTION MOLDED MEDICAL AND DENTAL DEVICES

作者：German Randall M^*

来源：International Journal of Powder Metallurgy, 2010, 46(2): 15-18.

Powder injection molding (PIM) is most successful for small, complex-shaped components fabricated in high production volumes. A significant growth trend is toward microminiature components, in which individual features are measured in micrometers. These are destined for minimally invasive surgical tools, medical and dental implants, and components for various intervention strategies. The required component specifications put a demand on PIM in terms of available powders. This contribution reviews the status of the materials used for microminiature powder injection molding (mu PIM) medical and dental devices by considering powder availability, cost, and performance attributes. The seed for this analysis comes from discussions at a workshop that focused on the scientific and technological barriers in microminiature molding. Companion papers in this and the subsequent issue of the International Journal of Powder Metallurgy provide an overall perspective on mu PIM and its enormous potential in relation to medical and dental devices.

• 出版日期2010-4