Award: Award of Distinction
Year: 2003
Category: Metal Injection Molding
Market Segment: Other

Description:
The award was given to a multi-port housing made from an iron-nickel-cobalt sealing alloy. Formed to a density of 7.9 g/cm³, the part is used in fiber-optics networks. It is a carrier-grade telecommunication application, which requires a 20-year minimum service life under extreme operating conditions. The final assembled housing requires more than 10 electrical pinouts and can have more than 50 optical fibers that are hermetically sealed. The part has an ultimate tensile strength of 65,000 psi, a yield strength of 41,000 psi, a 30% elongation and a 60 HRB hardness. The PM alloy provides an excellent surface finish for gold plating. When compared with stamping, machining, and brazing, the MIM part offered a cost savings of 40%.