With the progress of science and technology, the types and functions of sensors used in automobiles tend to be diversified, intelligent and miniaturized. According to different application areas, the sensor housing is used in engine, chassis, body, navigation and other systems.They have been manufactured by MIM technology, such as pressure sensor assembly, airbag sensor insert, oxygen sensor, steering sensor, cruise control sensor seat, sensor shell, etc.

USA-India Injection Molding Technology Private Limited has developed sensor components, threaded ports, support rings, sensor toolkits by MIM process. These parts are made of 17-4PH stainless steel. After heat treatment, σs is 103 MPa, σbmax is 1228 MPa, and σ is 7%. The parts with hardness between 35 and 40 HRC are formed close to the final shape.

Airbag is a kind of measure to protect driver's life when car encounters sudden accident. It can be divided into mechanical and electronic type.

The mechanical type is triggered by a pin impacted by an inertial ball, while the electronic type is triggered by a sensitive element. The airbag is composed of D-shaped shaft, insert joint and ignition pin. It is made of MIM17-4PH stainless steel. After heat treatment, σb is 1170MPa, σs is 1100MPa, hardness is 38-41HRC, σ is 7.0%, density is 7.60-7.68g/cm3. The dimension accuracy, stiffness, strength and wear resistance of the parts all meet the application requirements.

Compared with precision casting process, MIM has the advantages of good surface roughness, high tensile strength, realizing the combination of parts, reducing costs and adding benefits.

The following table shows the general dimension tolerances available for MIM parts. In addition to the above-mentioned parts, the ignition keys, rocker arm parts of engines, U-clips of steering gear, reverse synchronizer, valve top rod, piston ring, combustion chamber cover and car fixator are all manufactured by MIM process.