WorldPM2024
We attended the World Powder Metallurgy Conference (World PM2024) held in Yokohama, Japan. This marked the third time the World PM conference has been held in Japan, the first being in 2000, making it a significant event after a12-year interval. It was an excellent opportunity to reconnect with long-time peers and meet new professionals in the powder metallurgy community.
Oral Presentations
1)15-SIS5-03MIM Challenges for New Materials
The Influence of Mo Additions on Physical, Microstructural, and Mechanical Properties
in CP-Ti Manufactured by the MIM Process Molybdenum(Mo) is a beta-phase stabilizer in
titanium and is gaining attention as an alternative to vanadium (e.g., inTi-6Al-4V),
particularly in medical applications. Our experiments revealed that adding 5 wt% of Mo
to commercially pure titanium achieves the most balanced mechanical properties,
increment of its ultimate strength and remaining good elongation.
2) 16B-T6-32 AM Beam-Based Technologies
Tantalum Processing Development for Medical Applications: Insights from the relationship between
Thermal Processes and Mechanical Properties using LMM-Based AM and MIM Tantalum(Ta), known
for its biocompatibility and bioactivity, is increasingly used in medical implants. Its radiographically
opaque characteristic has also drawn interest for use in radiographic indicators. We studied Ta
production via MIM and LMM-based AM, successfully manufacturing green parts, and paving the
way for serial production of intricately designed Ta small components.
3) 15D-SIS4-03 Trends and Sustainability of MIM Industry Trends and Sustainability Initiatives in Japan
(Presented by Dr Doi, Osaka Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd.) This presentation introduced advancements in our
Super-Heated Steam (SHS) debinding development. By deploying SHS—a high-capacity, low-oxygen
atmosphere in the sensible heat zone—we reduced debinding times to just 1/10 of the duration required
by conventional heat-based methods.
World PM2024 Conference Overview
The conference attracted over 1,000 attendees. However, its proximity to Euro PM2024 led to
lower-than-expected participation from Europe. The key industry trends discussed include:
●The ongoing reliance of PM on the automotive sector, though the rise of electric vehicles (EVs)
has reduced the number of PM components compared to combustion engine vehicles.
●Growth in PM applications for the medical and aerospace industries, with new opportunities in
nuclear energy and advanced recycling technologies.
●In the additive manufacturing (AM) domain, sinter-based AM technologies gained prominence
over beam-based methods, highlighting a significant shift in focus.
Last but not least,
Thank you for your continued support of the Micro MIM Japan Holdings Group throughout 2024.
We look forward to achieving even greater success together in the coming year.
We wish you a prosperous and fulfilling New Year!
Download the PDF file
Conclusion
Cracking, slumping or blistering is commonly observed due to the binder swelling and/or residual stress difference between the surface and interior. It is possible to avoid these problems by selecting appropriate organic solvents and temperature control.
The catalytic deboning uses sublimation of binder, thus it is possible to decompose the binder in relatively short processing time with minimizing the deformation. However, with a strong acidic atmosphere, theapplicable metal material option is limited.
In the sintering process, the necking, which is bridging the metal powders by thermal diffusion, starts at the sintering temperature. Once the necking starts, the shrinking is observed and increases the density, thus before starting the necking reaction, all the organic components should be decomposed and gas between the powders should be removed. In the sintering process, the unwanted chemical reaction, such as oxidation or carbonization, leads to mechanical property loss, therefore a precise atmosphere control with low heating rate at the beginning of the process is required. Also, when it reaches the sintering temperature, some add it vegetal can be evaporated.