What are your plans for Engine Expo North America 2011?
We are using the event to continue to introduce and educate powertrain engineers on metal injection molding (MIM).
What new products, technologies and services will BASF be showcasing at Engine Expo North America?
Catamold is a leading ready-to-mold, high-quality feedstock for MIM. Catamold enables the economic production of complex, net-shape steel components in high volumes, allowing engineers to think outside the box and imagine new innovative designs for automotive components.Processed on a standard plastic injection-molding machine, MIM components are then debound (polymer removed) and sintered to final dimensions. The result is a highly complex metal component that achieves final densities of 96-100%. This high density and the homogeneous microstructure of the component's cross-section gives it excellent mechanical properties. Injection molding opens up many design options not available in other metal production techniques, including undercuts, cross holes, blind holes, grooves, internal and external threads, surface texture and lettering. The design freedom and cost-effectiveness coupled with current engine downsizing and boosting trends are expanding applications for MIM. Embraced by automotive designers in Europe, Catamold is a proven technology that is gaining wider acceptance in the North America market.
What are the latest technical developments from BASF regarding investment cast material?
BASF has developed a standardized feedstock for Inconel 713 that exceeds the high-temperature performance typical of investment cast material. Data was presented at the 2011 MIM Conference and will also be presented at Engine Expo North America. In addition to this, we have also recently published data sheets and technical information for our materials on the Catamold website.
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