Multi-material compatibility, available in stainless steel and light metal customization, to meet the demands of high-end industries.
Get A Quote Now
Technological Strength
Multi-material compatibility, available in stainless steel and light metal customization, to meet the demands of high-end industries.
Get A Quote Now
Technological Strength
316
- Name: Austenitic Stainless Steel
- Grade: 316
View Details
Introduction to Austenitic Stainless Steel 316
316 is a molybdenum-alloyed chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel, engineered to deliver stronger corrosion resistance than 304 stainless steel.
Typical Chemical Composition
- Chromium (Cr): 16.0%–18.5% – Forms a dense passive oxide film to resist oxidation and general corrosion
- Nickel (Ni): 10.0%–14.0% – Stabilizes austenitic microstructure, improves ductility and low-temperature impact toughness
- Molybdenum (Mo): 2.0%–3.0% – Key element to resist chloride-induced pitting and crevice corrosion
- Carbon (C): ≤0.08% – Minimizes the risk of intergranular corrosion
- Balance: Iron, plus trace manganese and silicon
Core Material Properties
- Outstanding Corrosion Resistance With molybdenum addition, 316 withstands salt mist, seawater, sweat, weak acids and chemical solutions far better than 304. It is the top choice for medical, marine, coastal and chemical exposure environments.
- Non-magnetic Base Structure Fully non-magnetic after solution annealing; faint magnetism may occur after heavy cold working. Ideal for precision medical and electronic parts sensitive to magnetic interference.
- Superior Ductility & Formability High plasticity supports bending, deep drawing and complex profiling. Its powder exhibits excellent fluidity for MIM manufacturing of micro thin-walled irregular components.
- Excellent Low-temperature Performance No brittle transition at sub-zero temperatures, suitable for cryogenic fluid control and medical hardware.
- Mechanical Characteristics Moderate tensile strength in annealed state. It cannot be hardened by quenching; slight hardness improvement is only achievable via cold forming. For high-load wear-resistant moving parts, 17-4PH martensitic stainless steel is recommended.
- High-temperature Oxidation Resistance Continuous operating temperature up to 870°C, with stable anti-oxidation performance under repeated heating cycles.
Machining & MIM Process Adaptability
- Metal Injection Molding (MIM) 316 powder boasts good flowability and high sintered density post debinding and sintering. It is widely adopted for miniature medical instruments, wearable fluid connectors and marine precision fittings, with low cracking risk due to high inherent toughness.
- Wide Compatibility with Surface Finishes Supports mirror polishing, sandblasting, passivation, PVD coating and AF anti-fingerprint film, meeting hygiene and aesthetic standards for medical devices and premium wearables.
- Heat Treatment Limitations Not hardenable through quenching. Solution treatment relieves forming stress and restores full corrosion resistance; aging treatment cannot boost hardness.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Superior resistance to chloride corrosion compared to 304
- Excellent biocompatibility, tolerates repeated high-temperature steam sterilization without rusting
- Easy to polish for premium appearance, ideal for hygiene-critical decorative components
- High toughness, resistant to fracture for frequently assembled tiny parts
Disadvantages
- Higher raw material cost than grade 304
- Low hardness and poor wear resistance, not applicable for high-friction moving parts such as gears and hinges
- Cannot be strengthened by heat treatment
Typical Applications
- Medical Devices: Surgical forceps, tweezers, minimally invasive instrument components, auxiliary implant parts
- Marine & Fluid Equipment: Liquid cooling connectors, seawater pipeline fittings
- High-end Smart Wearables: Watch bezels, skin-contact buckles for coastal wearers
- Chemical & Food Processing: Anti-corrosion fluid valves, precision food machinery fittings
- Consumer Electronics & Audio: Premium decorative parts exposed to sweat and salt
304
- Name: Austenitic Stainless Steel
- Grade: 304
View Details
304 is the most widely used chromium-nickel austenitic stainless steel, with the national standard grade 06Cr19Ni10 and UNS S30400. It is non-magnetic and features outstanding ductility for general-purpose applications.
Typical Chemical Composition
- Chromium (Cr): 18%–20% – provides rust resistance and corrosion protection
- Nickel (Ni): 8%–11% – stabilizes austenitic microstructure and improves ductility & low-temperature toughness
- Carbon (C): ≤0.08% – low carbon content reduces risk of intergranular corrosion
- Balance iron with trace manganese and silicon impurities
Key Material Characteristics
- Excellent Corrosion Resistance A dense passive chromium oxide film forms on the surface, delivering reliable protection against atmospheric moisture, fresh water, weak acids and food-grade media. It offers stable anti-rust performance for wearable, medical, kitchen and automotive cosmetic components.
- Non-magnetic Austenitic Structure Non-magnetic under ambient temperature. Mild magnetic properties may occur after bending or stamping, making it suitable for audio and precision electronic decorative parts.
- Superior Plasticity & Formability High ductility enables bending, drawing and deep drawing. It is highly compatible with MIM, polishing, sandblasting and other surface finishing processes, ideal for miniature complex decorative and structural components.
- Excellent Low-Temperature Performance No brittle transition at low temperatures, making it a top choice for cryogenic service parts.
- Mechanical Strength Moderate strength in annealed condition. It cannot be hardened via quenching; hardness can only be slightly raised by cold working such as stamping and wire drawing. For high-strength, wear-resistant parts, 17-4PH or 440 martensitic stainless steels are preferred.
- Heat Resistance Continuous service temperature up to 870°C, with short-term heat resistance reaching 1000°C and good oxidation resistance.
Machining Compatibility (MIM Production Scenarios)
- Metal Injection Molding (MIM) 304 powder features favorable flowability and high sintered density after debinding and sintering. Perfect for miniature buckles, buttons, wearable bezels, medical tweezers and thin-walled irregular components, with low cracking risk thanks to high toughness.
- Wide Compatibility with Surface Treatments Supports mirror polishing, brushing, sandblasting, passivation and PVD coating with AF anti-fingerprint film, meeting cosmetic requirements for smart wearables, audio devices and automotive trims.
- Heat Treatment Limitations Not hardenable by quenching. Solution treatment is commonly applied to eliminate processing stress and restore corrosion resistance; no hardness improvement can be achieved through aging.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Cost-effective general stainless steel with stable supply chains
- Strong resistance to rust, weak acids and alkalis; food-safe and biocompatible
- Easy to polish for premium cosmetic finishes for decorative parts
- High toughness with low fracture risk, suitable for frequently opened small parts including buckles, watch bezels and earphone buttons
Disadvantages
- Low hardness and poor wear resistance; not recommended for heavy-load or high-friction moving assemblies such as hinges and gears (17-4PH is preferred)
- Prone to pitting corrosion in chloride-rich environments (seawater, heavy salt mist); switch to 316L for harsh corrosive conditions
- Cannot be strengthened by heat treatment
Typical Applications (Matching Your Product Portfolio)
- Smart Wearables: Watch bezels, watch band buckles, decorative AI eyewear parts
- Audio Equipment: TWS earphone buttons, decorative components
- Automotive Parts: Car key ornaments
- Medical Devices: Medical tweezers, minimally invasive instruments under low mechanical loads
- General Hardware: Kitchen & bathroom fittings, precision cosmetic trims
Comparison of Similar Grades (304 / 304L / 316L)
- 304: Standard general grade with balanced cost and performance for regular dry & wet environments
- 304L: Extra-low carbon variant with superior resistance to intergranular corrosion after welding, widely used for piping and fluid connectors
- 316L: Molybdenum-alloyed for enhanced salt spray and acid resistance, specified for medical implants and marine environments
Liquid Cooling Connector
- Material: 304L
- Process: MIM + Solution Treatment + Aging
- Application: Gear
View Details
Liquid Cooling Connectors are manufactured from 304L stainless steel via MIM molding, solution treatment and aging for gear equipment.
MIM one-step forming fabricates complex hollow flow channel structures with high sintered density and tight dimensional tolerance, avoiding splicing gaps and material waste from traditional machining.
Solution treatment and aging optimize the mechanical properties of sintered 304L blanks, delivering balanced strength and corrosion resistance to adapt to long-term liquid circulation environments.
Workpieces go through precise deburring and inner hole finishing after heat treatment to form smooth burr-free surfaces, ensuring leak-proof assembly and stable matching tolerances with gear cooling systems.
Lock Core
- Material: 17-4PH
- Process: MIM + Solution Treatment + Aging
- Application: Gear
View Details
Lock Cores are manufactured via MIM molding, followed by solution treatment and aging for gear assemblies.
MIM one-step forming fabricates intricate tooth and internal locking structures with high sintered density and consistent dimensional precision, avoiding splicing defects and excess material waste from conventional machining.
Solution treatment plus aging optimizes the alloy mechanical performance, delivering high hardness and wear resistance to withstand long-term gear transmission friction.
Sintered parts go through precision deburring and surface trimming to form smooth burr-free profiles that maintain stable meshing tolerances during gear operation.
Industrial Tools
- Material: 17-4PH
- Process: MIM
- Application: Medical
View Details
Industrial tool parts are manufactured from medical-grade 17-4PH stainless steel via MIM molding for medical equipment.
MIM integrated molding forms complex thin-wall functional structures with high sintered density and stable dimensional accuracy, cutting material loss and assembly seams from traditional machining.
Sintered 17-4PH workpieces gain high tensile strength and hardness after aging hardening, suitable for medical tools bearing frequent clamping and friction loads.
All blanks undergo precision deburring and smooth surface finishing after sintering to achieve burr-free profiles that comply with medical hygiene standards.
Tweezers
- Material: 316L
- Process: MIM
- Application: Medical
View Details
Tweezers are manufactured from medical-grade 316L stainless steel via MIM molding for medical devices.
MIM one-step forming produces integrated slender clamping structures with high sintered density and tight dimensional tolerance, eliminating splicing flaws and material waste from conventional machining.
Medical 316L substrates feature reliable biocompatibility and excellent corrosion resistance, enduring repeated high-temperature sterilization without surface degradation.
Sintered workpieces receive precision deburring and fine surface finishing to form smooth, burr-free edges compliant with medical contact safety requirements.
Material Performance & Application Sheet
| Material | Performance | Features & Applications |
| 316L | Standard 316L density ≥7.8g/cm³; High-polish 316L density ≥7.93g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥480MPa; Yield strength ≥160MPa; Elongation ≥50%; Hardness 120-180HV | 1. Features: Non-magnetic, outstanding corrosion resistance and polishing performance2. Applications: 3C structural & cosmetic parts, watch cases |
| 17-4PH | Density ≥7.6g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1200MPa; Yield strength ≥1000MPa; Elongation ≥5%; Hardness 36-40HRC | 1. Features: High strength, high hardness, decent corrosion resistance2. Applications: 3C structural parts |
| PANACEA | Density ≥7.5g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥900MPa; Yield strength ≥600MPa; Elongation ≥35%; Hardness 280-350HV | 1. Features: Nickel-free, non-magnetic, superior corrosion resistance2. Applications: 3C structural & cosmetic parts |
| Ultra-high Strength Steel | Density ≥7.6g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1800MPa; Yield strength ≥1500MPa; Elongation ≥5%; Hardness 46-52HRC | 1. Features: Ultra-high yield strength, high hardness2. Applications: 3C structural parts, rotating shafts |
| TC4 Titanium Alloy | Density 4.3-4.4g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1000MPa; Yield strength ≥900MPa; Elongation ≥20%; Hardness 300-370HV | 1. Features: Non-magnetic, low density, excellent corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility2. Applications: 3C structural & cosmetic parts, watch cases |
| Low-density Steel | Density ≤6.5g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1100MPa; Yield strength ≥900MPa; Elongation ≥5%; Hardness 390-420HV | 1. Features: Low density, high strength2. Applications: 3C structural parts, rotating shafts |
| IN713C | Density ≥7.8g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1350MPa; Yield strength ≥950MPa; Elongation ≥10%; Hardness 40-42HRC | 1. Features: Non-magnetic, high strength, great high-temperature performance and corrosion resistance2. Applications: 3C structural parts, rotating shafts |
| 420W | Density ≥7.6g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥1800MPa; Yield strength ≥1300MPa; Elongation ≥8%; Hardness 50-52HRC | 1. Features: Moderate wear & corrosion resistance, high hardness2. Applications: 3C structural parts, rotating shafts |
| F75 | Density ≥8.0g/cm³; Tensile strength ≥880MPa; Yield strength ≥500MPa; Elongation ≥15%; Hardness 270-310HV | 1. Features: Non-magnetic, high strength, good corrosion resistance, biocompatible2. Applications: 3C structural parts |
Surface Treatment Process Analysis Table
| Process | Detailed Steps | Main Advantages | Main Disadvantages | Applicable Materials | Typical Applications |
| Tumbling | Put parts, abrasives and polishing agents into rotary barrels; remove burrs and flash via friction & collision to boost surface finish | Low cost, mass-production compatible, works for complex geometries, great deburring effect | Limited precision, unable to reach mirror finish, tiny features prone to abrasion | Stainless steel, iron-based alloys, cemented carbide and most MIM materials | Small structural components, gears, hardware deburring & rough polishing |
| Sandblasting | High-speed blast abrasives (glass beads, ceramic grit, steel shot) onto workpieces via compressed air to form uniform matte texture | Uniform matte surface, removes scale, improves coating adhesion, adjustable roughness | No dimensional accuracy improvement, thin-walled parts easy to deform, dust treatment required | All MIM metals | Cosmetic parts, pre-treatment for coating/plating, eliminate machining marks |
| Mechanical Polishing | Multi-stage grinding with abrasive wheels, cloth wheels and polishing paste from coarse to fine for smoother surface | Mirror finish achievable, controllable precision, fits flat & outer circular surfaces | High labor cost, hard to polish complex inner cavities, low efficiency | Stainless steel, titanium alloy, cemented carbide | High-end cosmetic parts, mirror decorative pieces, sealing surface polishing |
| Vibratory Finishing | Parts vibrate at high frequency with abrasives in vibratory tanks for deburring, chamfering and polishing | Mass-production friendly, fits complex shapes, uniform finish, moderate cost | Medium polishing precision, cannot achieve ultra-mirror surface | All MIM metals | Hardware, jewelry, small precision mass polishing |
| Chemical Polishing | Immerse parts in acidic solution to level surface via chemical dissolution and boost gloss | Works for complex inner cavities, simple equipment, high efficiency | Heavy pollution, high environmental cost, poor dimensional control, lower gloss than electropolishing | Stainless steel, copper alloy, aluminum alloy | Stainless decorative parts, bright finishing for complex inner cavity components |
| Electropolishing | Treat workpieces as anodes in electrolyte; electrochemically dissolve micro-protrusions to get mirror finish | Ultra-high surface smoothness, burr removal, enhanced corrosion resistance, fits complex shapes | Relatively high cost, complicated waste liquid treatment, slight dimensional loss | 304/316 stainless steel, titanium alloy | Medical devices, food-grade parts, semiconductor components, premium cosmetic parts |
| Passivation | Treat stainless steel with nitric/citric acid passivating solution to form dense anti-rust oxide film | Simple process, low cost, greatly improves corrosion resistance, no change to dimension & appearance | Only boosts rust resistance, no roughness or hardness improvement | Austenitic stainless steel like 304/316 | Medical components, food equipment, chemical part anti-rust treatment |
| Pickling | Remove oxide scale, rust and sinter discoloration with acid to expose bare metal | Effective scale removal, mass-production feasible, low cost | Matte gray-white surface, corrosion risk, strict environmental compliance required | Stainless steel, iron-based alloy, copper alloy | Post-sintering scale removal, pre-treatment for plating & coating |
| Electroplating (Nickel/Chrome/Zinc) | Deposit metal coating on parts via electrolysis for wear resistance, anti-corrosion and decoration | Uniform coating, multiple metal options, strong decoration & wear resistance | MIM pores may cause blistering, sealing pre-treatment needed, strict environmental rules | Iron-based alloy, stainless steel, copper alloy and most MIM materials | Hardware fasteners, decorative parts anti-corrosion & finishing |
| Electroless Nickel | Deposit nickel-phosphorus alloy coating via chemical reaction without power supply, excellent uniformity | Consistent coating thickness, great throwing power, superior wear & corrosion resistance, high hardness | Higher cost than electroplating, slow deposition, brittle coating | All MIM metals | Complex components, valve bodies, pump parts, mold inserts wear & corrosion protection |
| PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) | Ionize metals like titanium/chromium under vacuum and deposit hard coating on workpiece | Ultra-high hardness (HV2000+), outstanding wear resistance, eco-friendly, various colors (gold/black/blue) | Thin coating (1-5μm), strict requirement on substrate roughness, high cost | Stainless steel, titanium alloy, cemented carbide, mold steel | Cutting tools, molds, wear-resistant components, premium decorative parts |
| DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon Coating) | DLC film with extreme hardness and self-lubricating property | High hardness, ultra-low friction coefficient, self-lubricating, anti-corrosion | Bonding force control required, thin coating, high cost, poor high-temperature resistance | Stainless steel, titanium alloy, bearing steel | Precision bearings, gears, valve spools, medical wear-resistant parts |
| Anodizing | Form dense oxide film on titanium/aluminum via electrolytic oxidation for wear resistance, anti-corrosion and coloring | Excellent corrosion resistance, customizable decorative colors, high hardness, eco-friendly | Only applicable to valve metals (Ti/Al), complicated process, relatively high cost | TC4 titanium alloy, aluminum alloy | Titanium medical implants, aerospace components, premium cosmetic parts |
| Vacuum Quenching | Heat parts in vacuum furnace then rapid cooling; martensitic transformation boosts hardness & strength | Oxidation-free, minimal deformation, uniform hardness, good surface quality | High equipment cost, only for hardenable materials, dimensional shift control required | Martensitic stainless steel (420/440C), low-alloy steel, mold steel | Cutting tools, bearings, gears, structural part strengthening heat treatment |
| Age Hardening | Precipitation-hardened stainless steel low-temperature aging; precipitate intermetallic compounds to strengthen substrate | Minimal heat treatment deformation, stable dimension, adjustable high strength | Long process cycle, high cost, only for precipitation-hardening materials | 17-4PH, 17-7PH precipitation hardening stainless steel | Aerospace parts, high-pressure valve bodies, precision structural components |
| Carburizing / Nitriding | Infuse carbon/nitrogen atoms into workpiece surface at high temperature to form hard surface layer | Ultra-high surface hardness, wear resistance, tough core substrate, suitable for heavy loads | High processing temperature, obvious deformation, long cycle, environmental requirements | Low-carbon steel, low-alloy steel, partial stainless steel | Gears, shafts, molds, surface strengthening for wear-resistant parts |
| Carbonitriding | Co-infiltrate carbon & nitrogen, combine advantages of carburizing and nitriding for high hard wear-resistant surface | High hardness, great wear resistance, lower processing temperature & less deformation than carburizing | Moderate deformation, complicated process, higher cost | Low-carbon alloy steel, structural steel | Gears, pin shafts, valves and medium-load wear-resistant parts |
| Black Oxide Treatment | Alkaline oxidation forms black Fe₃O₄ protective film on steel for decoration & mild anti-rust | Ultra-low cost, uniform black appearance, nearly zero dimensional change, limited rust prevention | Weak anti-corrosion performance, oil sealing required, only for ferrous metals | Iron-based alloy, carbon steel, low-alloy steel | Fasteners, mechanical parts, black decorative hardware |
| Impregnation & Sealing | Fill internal pores of MIM parts with resin/inorganic sealant to improve density & air tightness | Closes pores, improves plating/coating quality, prevents leakage, boosts strength | Extra process cost, possible dimensional tolerance shift, infiltration depth control needed | All sintered MIM parts (especially low-density grades) | Air-tight components, hydraulic parts, pre-plating pore sealing |
| Powder Coating & Spray Painting | Spray plastic powder or paint on workpieces, cure to form organic anti-corrosion decorative coating | Rich color options, good decoration & anti-corrosion, covers minor surface defects | Coating thickness affects precision dimensions, pre-treatment required for adhesion, poor high-temperature resistance | All MIM metals | Cosmetic housings, outdoor equipment anti-corrosion finishing |
| Laser Marking | Etch texts, patterns & QR codes on surface via laser beam for permanent identification | Permanent & clear marking, high precision, non-contact processing, eco-friendly without consumables | High equipment cost, surface marking only, better effect on dark materials | All MIM metals | Part serial numbers, QR codes, LOGO, specification marking |
| Brushed Finishing | Pull uniform linear textures on surface with abrasive belts/nylon wheels for metallic texture | Strong metallic texture, covers minor scratches, premium decorative effect | Fingerprint prone, slightly reduced anti-corrosion performance, only for flat/curved surfaces | Stainless steel, copper alloy, aluminum alloy | High-end cosmetic parts, consumer electronics, decorative hardware |
The MIM Injection Molding Process
Our high-performance materials and technologies set new standards in numerous industries such as the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, the energy sector and many more.
Step 1
Mold Design and Fabrication
Precision molds are designed with shrinkage compensation and optimized structures to ensure stable molding, high accuracy, and long service life for mass production.
Step 2
Material Preparation
Fine metal powders are mixed with polymer binders to form a homogeneous feedstock with excellent flowability and consistent composition.
Step 3
Injection Molding
The prepared feedstock is injected into precision molds under high pressure to form green parts with complex geometries and high dimensional consistency.
Step 4
Debinding
Binder materials are carefully removed through thermal or solvent processes to produce a porous brown part while maintaining structural integrity.
Step 5
Sintering
Parts are sintered at high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere, achieving densification, shrinkage control, and mechanical properties close to forged metals.
Step 6
Post-Processing
Secondary processes such as CNC machining, polishing, and surface treatment are applied to achieve final precision, appearance, and functional performance.
Why Choose Us?
Real-world project demonstrations showcase our technological capabilities and achievements across multiple industries.
Integrated Tooling & MIM Solutions
Yize Metal integrates MIM mold development, manufacturing, and injection molding into a seamless process. During the mold design phase, we simultaneously account for molding shrinkage, debinding, and sintering deformation. This approach effectively minimizes the number of trial runs and reduces development risks, thereby ensuring dimensional stability and consistency across mass production batches. 1
High-Yield Mass Production
Leveraging our mature process control capabilities—spanning powder compounding, injection molding, debinding, and sintering—we achieve stable production of complex metal components. Our process ensures minimal batch-to-batch variation and consistent performance, making our solutions ideal for highly reliability-critical applications in sectors such as medical devices, electronics, and automotive.
Comprehensive Quality Management System
Comprehensive Quality Management System Backed by rigorous quality management and a comprehensive process traceability system, we maintain strict control over the entire workflow—from raw materials to finished products. We support comprehensive verification of dimensions, performance, and consistency, providing our clients with MIM solutions that enable sustainable mass production and foster long-term collaborative partnerships
Get A Quote Now
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we get asked often. If yours isn’t answered, don’t hesitate to contact us, we’re happy to help!
-
What is the first step in the MIM process?
-
The first step is mold design and fabrication, where precision molds are developed with shrinkage compensation to ensure stable mass production.
-
What materials are used in MIM feedstock?
-
MIM feedstock is made of ultra-fine metal powders mixed with polymer binders to ensure good flowability and consistent molding performance.
-
How does injection molding work in MIM?
-
The feedstock is injected into precision molds under high pressure to form green parts with complex geometries and accurate dimensions.
-
Why is debinding important in MIM?
-
Debinding removes the binder material from green parts, creating a porous structure that prepares the component for densification during sintering.
-
What happens during the sintering process?
-
Sintering is performed at high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere, where metal particles bond together to form dense, high-strength components.
-
What is included in post-processing?
-
Post-processing may include CNC machining, polishing, and surface treatment to achieve final dimensions, appearance, and functional requirements.
Let's Talk About Your Project
With its ability to create complex shapes, use a variety of alloys, and enable rapid production, our die casting service is unmatched. If you’re ready to get started, choosing a material and an experienced injection molding partner becomes crucial.
