MIM vs Investment Casting: Which Process Delivers Better Value?

MIM vs Investment Casting: Two Precision Methods Compared

Both MIM and investment casting (lost wax) are near-net-shape processes for complex metal parts. But their cost structures and capabilities differ significantly.

Key Comparison

Factor	MIM	Investment Casting
Part Size	0.1g - 250g (ideal)	10g - 50kg+
Wall Thickness	0.3mm - 6mm	1.5mm minimum
Tolerances	±0.3% to ±0.5%	±0.5% to ±1%
Surface Finish	Ra 0.8-1.6μm	Ra 3.2-6.3μm
Density	>97%	95-99%
Tooling Life	100,000+ shots	1 use per mold
Small Features	Excellent (0.1mm)	Limited (1mm+)

When MIM Wins

• Small, intricate parts under 100g
• Superior surface finish as-sintered
• Tighter tolerances consistently
• High-volume production (10,000+ parts)
• Thin walls down to 0.3mm
• Less post-processing needed

When Casting Wins

• Large parts over 250g
• Very low volumes (under 1,000)
• Internal cavities and hollow features
• Extremely thick sections over 6mm

Cost Analysis

For a typical 20g stainless steel part:

• 1,000 pcs: Casting cheaper
• 10,000 pcs: MIM becomes competitive
• 50,000+ pcs: MIM 30-50% cheaper

Contact us for a free MIM vs casting analysis for your part.