What are the Differences in Cost and Efficiency between Die Casting and MIM?

Materials

Molten metal + lubricants

Fine metal powder + polymer binders

Mold

Made of high-pressure/high-temperature resistant materials.

Requires vacuum sealing systems.

Standard tool steel (e.g., P20) suffices.

Post-Processing

- High dimensional accuracy & surface finish
- Minimal machining needed
- Limitation: Prone to porosity due to turbulent metal flow; parts cannot be heat-treated or welded

- High dimensional precision, density, and surface finish
- Enables single-piece complex geometries, eliminating assembly needs

Output Speed

High-speed production, easily automated.
E.g., JⅢ3 cold-chamber machines: 600–700 shots/8-hour shift; 

Hot-chamber machines: 3,000–7,000 shots/8-hour shift.

Single production line (injection + sintering): 200k–500k parts/month (for 10g-class parts).

Complexity

Limited for parts with deep concavities or intricate internal features.

Extremely high design freedom (thin walls, undercuts, internal features).

Material Range

Restricted to high-fluidity metals (e.g., Zn, Al, Mg); 

Limited strength/corrosion resistance.

Broad material compatibility (stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, etc.).

Die Casting

High-volume (>100k units)

- High-fluidity metal parts (e.g., housings, brackets)
- Non-structural components
- Parts requiring minimal post-processing

MIM

Medium-volume (10k–100k units)

- Small, complex geometries (gears, medical tools)
- High-precision/stainless steel parts
- Components needing high density & net-shape accuracy