Injection Molding of Metal and Carbon Composites

Abstract

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process is a suitable process for fabricating small and complex shaped metal parts with high production volume. Carbon fiber (CF) has high thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, thus, Metal/Carbon composites would show great properties. Especially using MIM process to fabricate the composites, orientation of the fiber would be controlled during injection molding. Also, short fiber is easily and homogeneously dispersed in the metal powder during mixing process. In this study, Copper / CF composites were fabricated through the MIM process. The effects of carbon fiber contents and orientation on the mechanical properties were investigated.