MIM Material Selection Guide | 316L, 17-4PH, Titanium, WC-Co, Soft Mag - Precision-mim#Metal injection molding parts

MIM material selection starts from the application. 316L stainless steel is the default for corrosion-resistant parts, 17-4PH for high strength and hardness after heat treatment, tungsten carbide (WC-Co) for maximum wear resistance, titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) for lightweight and biocompatible parts, copper for thermal and electrical conductivity, and soft magnetic alloys for motors and sensors. Common MIM alloys reach over 97% density and about ±0.3% as-sintered tolerance.

Material selection table: application, recommended material and key properties

Application	Recommended MIM material	Key properties
Medical and surgical instruments, corrosion-resistant hardware	316L stainless steel	Excellent corrosion resistance, non-magnetic, tensile ~490–600 MPa
High-strength mechanical, firearm and aerospace parts	17-4PH stainless steel	Precipitation-hardening to ~1000–1300 MPa and 33–40 HRC, good corrosion resistance
Wear parts, nozzles, cutting tools, tooling	Tungsten carbide (WC-Co)	Extreme hardness HRA 85–92 and wear resistance
Lightweight medical implants and aerospace	Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V	~900–1000 MPa with low density ~4.4 g/cm³ and excellent corrosion resistance
Heat sinks, thermal management, electrical connectors	Copper	Very high thermal and electrical conductivity
Motors, sensors, inductors, EV traction	Soft magnetic alloys (Fe-Si, Fe-Ni, Fe-Co)	High magnetic permeability and low core loss
Structural automotive and power-tool components	Low-alloy steel (Fe-2Ni, Fe-8Ni)	Low cost, hardenable, tensile ~400–900 MPa

MIM material properties at a glance

Material	Tensile strength	Hardness	Corrosion resistance	Magnetic behaviour	Density (g/cm³)
316L stainless steel	~490–600 MPa	~95 HRB	Excellent	Non-magnetic (austenitic)	~7.9
17-4PH stainless steel	~1000–1300 MPa (aged)	33–40 HRC	Good	Magnetic (martensitic)	~7.8
Low-alloy steel (Fe-2Ni / Fe-8Ni)	~400–900 MPa	Up to ~40 HRC	Low	Ferromagnetic	~7.8
Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V	~900–1000 MPa	~33 HRC	Excellent	Non-magnetic	~4.4
Copper	~200–300 MPa	Soft	Good	Non-magnetic	~8.9
Tungsten carbide (WC-Co)	Bending ~2500–3500 MPa	HRA 85–92	Good	Magnetic (Co binder)	~14–15
Soft magnetic alloy (Fe-Si / Fe-Ni / Fe-Co)	~400–700 MPa	Soft	Good	High permeability	~7.5–8.2

How to choose a MIM material

Need corrosion resistance for medical, marine or consumer parts → 316L stainless steel.
Need high strength or hardness after heat treatment → 17-4PH stainless steel.
Need maximum wear resistance → tungsten carbide (WC-Co).
Need low weight → titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V.
Need thermal or electrical conductivity → copper.
Need magnetic response → soft magnetic alloys.
Need low-cost structural parts at volume → low-alloy steel.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common MIM material?

316L stainless steel is the most common MIM material because it combines excellent corrosion resistance, good strength and non-magnetic behaviour at a low cost.

Can MIM produce titanium parts?

Yes. Titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V is routinely processed by MIM for medical implants and aerospace parts that need low weight, high strength and corrosion resistance.

Which MIM material has the highest wear resistance?

Tungsten carbide (WC-Co) has the highest hardness and wear resistance of common MIM materials, typically HRA 85–92, and is used for nozzles, cutting tools and wear components.

Which MIM materials are magnetic?

17-4PH stainless steel, low-alloy steels and soft magnetic alloys such as Fe-Si, Fe-Ni and Fe-Co are magnetic, while 316L stainless steel is essentially non-magnetic.