Titanium P/M can be divided into the categories of laser forming, powder injection molding, spraying, near net shapes (blended elemental and pre-alloyed), metal matrix composites, and far from equilibrium processing (rapid solidification, mechanical alloying and vapor deposition). It is proposed that with the availability of cost-affordable powders, and advances in fabrication techniques, the powder injection molding and blended elemental approaches in particular should see significant growth.
The atomized powders are generally pre-alloyed and spherical, while the hydride-dehydride powders which are generally also pre-alloyed are angular in nature, and sponge fines (a by-product of sponge production) are “sponge-like” in nature and contain remnant salt (which prevents achievement of full density and adversely affects weldability). There is also a new type of powder produced by a reverse electrolysis process.
Metal powder injection molding (PIM) is based upon the injection molding of plastics, a process developed for long production runs of small (normally below 400 gm.) complex shaped parts in a cost-effective manner. By increasing the metal (or ceramic) particle content, the process evolved into a process for production of high density metal, inter-metallic or ceramic components.