Overview - ISO 22068:2012 for Sintered‑Metal Injection‑Moulded Materials
ISO 22068:2012 defines material specifications for sintered metal injection‑moulded (MIM) materials. It specifies required chemical composition, mechanical and physical properties, test methods and a designation system to help design and materials engineers specify MIM materials for components manufactured exclusively by the Metal Injection Moulding process. It does not apply to press‑and‑sinter, powder‑forging or other powder‑metallurgy routes.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and intended use: Covers properties and specification data for MIM parts only; excludes other powder metallurgy routes.
- Chemical composition: Minimum/maximum limits for principal alloying elements; “other elements” listed as maximum by difference. Analysis methods reference international standards or mutually agreed methods.
- Mechanical properties: Minimum values given for tensile strength (Rm), 0.2% offset yield strength (Rp0.2) and elongation (A25) in as‑sintered and heat‑treated conditions. Tensile tests follow ISO 2740 and ISO 6892‑1.
- Density and porosity: Density measured per ISO 3369 or gas pycnometer (ASTM D2638/D4892). Typical MIM materials are processed to near full density and, unless otherwise specified, contain < 5% residual porosity with rounded, closed pores (impermeable).
- Hardness and magnetic properties: Hardness by ISO 4498, ISO 6507‑1 (Vickers) and ISO 6508‑1 (Rockwell). Magnetic permeability and induction measured per IEC 60404‑4 (1 990 A/m field).
- Corrosion resistance: Defined test methods for stainless MIM alloys: sulfuric acid immersion (2% for 1 000 h), copper sulfate plating test, boiling water exposure, and salt spray (ISO 9227) with pass/fail criteria agreed between supplier and customer.
- Heat treatment & designation: Guidance on quench/tempering, case hardening and codes to designate MIM materials (e.g., MIM‑Fe2NiC‑205; “H” indicates heat‑treated).
Practical applications and users
ISO 22068 is essential for:
- Design engineers specifying MIM components for automotive, medical, electronics, consumer and industrial applications.
- Materials engineers and metallurgists selecting alloys, heat treatments and evaluating porosity, strength and corrosion performance.
- MIM manufacturers, suppliers and QA/test laboratories for product qualification, batch acceptance and proof testing (static/dynamic tests tied to component function).
- Procurement and specification writers who need standardized material codes and test criteria.
Keywords: ISO 22068, MIM materials, Metal Injection Moulding, sintered‑metal injection‑moulded, material specifications, mechanical properties, chemical composition, corrosion resistance.
Related standards
Relevant referenced standards include ISO 2740, ISO 3369, ISO 4498, ISO 6507‑1, ISO 6508‑1, ISO 6892‑1, ISO 9227, IEC 60404‑4 and ASTM D2638 / D4892 (pycnometer methods).