Advanced Powder Products, Inc.
301 Enterprise Drive
Philipsburg, PA 16866
(814) 342-5898
Low alloy steel in metal injection molding (MIM) offers manufacturers an exceptional balance of strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. By combining the high-performance characteristics of low alloy steels with the precision of the MIM process, Advanced Powder Products (APP) enables complex metal parts to be produced with tight tolerances, repeatable quality, and excellent mechanical properties.
Low alloy steels contain small amounts (typically 1–5%) of alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, nickel, and manganese. These elements are added to enhance mechanical properties like strength, toughness, hardness, and wear resistance. When processed through metal injection molding, these steels achieve high densities and refined microstructures, rivaling wrought materials in performance.
As part of APP's broader portfolio of MIM materials, low alloy steels are often selected for structural components where strength, durability, and dimensional accuracy are critical. Their adaptability makes them a strong fit across diverse industries.
Download Spec Sheet| Grade | Alloy Features | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 2200, 2700, 8620, 9310 | Case Hardenable | Firearms, Consumer Goods, General, Industrial, Wood and Metal Cutting |
| 400 Series | General Purpose | |
| 52100 | High Wear Resistance |
| 2200, 2700, 8620, 9310 |
| Alloy Features |
| Case Hardenable |
| Applications |
| Firearms, Consumer Goods, General, Industrial, Wood and Metal Cutting |
| 400 Series |
| Alloy Features |
| General Purpose |
| Applications |
| Firearms, Consumer Goods, General, Industrial, Wood and Metal Cutting |
| 52100 |
| Alloy Features |
| High Wear Resistance |
| Applications |
| Firearms, Consumer Goods, General, Industrial, Wood and Metal Cutting |
| Element | MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 | MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 | MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | .4-.6 | .3-.5 | .3-.5 | .1 max | .1 max | .8-1.2 | .15-.23 | .2 max | .05 (max) |
| Si | 1.0 max | .6 max | .5 max | 1.0 max | 1.0 max | - | 1.0 max | - | 1.0 max |
| Cr | - | .8-1.2 | .6-1.2 | - | - | 1.3-1.6 | .4-.6 | .3-.8 | 16-18 |
| Mo | .2-.5 | .2-.3 | .5 max | .5 max | .5 max | - | .15-.25 | .1-.25 | - |
| Mn | - | 1.0 max | .8 max | - | - | .25-.45 | .7-.9 | - | 1.0 max |
| Fe | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. | Bal. |
| Ni | 1.5-2.5 | - | 1.25-2.0 | 6.5-8.5 | 1.5-2.5 | - | .4-.7 | 2.5-3.5 | - |
| Cu | - | - | - | - | - | .025 max | .035 max | .025 max | - |
| Nb | - | - | - | - | - | .025 max | .040 max | .025 | - |
| Carbon (C) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| .4 - .6 | .3 - .5 | .3 - .5 |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| .1 max | .1 max | .8 - 1.2 |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .15 - .23 | .2 max | .05 max |
| Silicon (Si) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| 1.0 max | .6 max | .5 max |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| 1.0 max | 1.0 max | - |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| 1.0 max | - | 1.0 max |
| Chrome (Cr) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| - | .8 - 1.2 | .6 - 1.2 |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| - | - | 1.3 - 1.6 |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .4 - .6 | .3 - .8 | 16 - 18 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| .2 - .5 | .2 - .3 | .5 max |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| .5 max | .5 max | - |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .15 - .25 | .1 - .25 | - |
| Manganese (Mn) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| - | 1.0 max | .8 max |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| - | - | .25 - .45 |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .7 - .9 | - | 1.0 max |
| Iron (Fe) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| Bal. | Bal. | Bal. |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| Bal. | Bal. | Bal. |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| Bal. | Bal. | Bal. |
| Nickel (Ni) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| 1.5 - 2.5 | - | 1.25 - 2.0 |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| 6.5 - 8.5 | 1.5 - 2.5 | - |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .4 - .7 | 2.5 - 3.5 | - |
| Copper (Cu) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| - | - | - |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| - | - | .025 max |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .035 max | .025 max | - |
| Niobium (Nb) | ||
| MIM 4605 | MIM 4140 | MIM 4340 |
| - | - | - |
| MIM 2700 (FN08) | MIM 2200 (Fe-2Ni) | MIM 52100 |
| - | - | .025 max |
| MIM 8620 | MIM 9310 | MIM 430L |
| .040 max | .025 | - |
| Material | Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) | UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Unnotched Charpy impact energy (J) | Macro Hardness | Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIM 4605 HT | 7.55 | 1480 | 1650 | 1 | 55 | 43-48 HRC | - | 210 |
| MIM 4140 HT | 7.5 | 1200 | 1600 | 5 | 75 | 43-48 HRC | - | 200 |
| MIM 4340 HT | 7.5 | 1100 | 1200 | 6 | - | 40-45 | - | - |
| MIM 2700 | 7.6 | 250 | 400 | 12 | 175 | 69 HRB | 50-56 HRC | 190 |
| MIM 2200 | 7.6 | 125 | 280 | 35 | 135 | 45 HRB | 56-62 HRC | 190 |
| MIM 51200 HT | 7.5 | 1100 | 1500 | 2 | - | 55-62 HRC | - | - |
| MIM 8620 | 7.5 | 130 | 320 | 25 | - | 100 HRB | - | - |
| MIM 9310 | 7.5 | 350 | 540 | 15 | - | 375 HV1 | 56-62 HRC | - |
| MIM 4605 HT | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.55 | 1480 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 1650 | 1 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| 55 | 43 - 48 HRC |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| - | 210 |
| MIM 4140 HT | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.5 | 1200 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 1600 | 5 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| 75 | 43 - 48 HRC |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| - | 200 |
| MIM 4340 HT | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.5 | 1100 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 1200 | 6 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| - | 40 - 45 |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| - | - |
| MIM 2700 | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.6 | 250 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 400 | 12 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| 175 | 69 HRB |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| 50 - 56 HRC | 190 |
| MIM 2200 | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.6 | 125 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 280 | 35 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| 135 | 45 HRB |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| 56 - 62 HRC | 190 |
| MIM 51200 HT | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.5 | 1100 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 1500 | 2 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| - | 55 - 62 HRC |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| - | - |
| MIM 8620 | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.5 | 130 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 320 | 25 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| - | 100 HRB |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| - | - |
| MIM 9310 | |
| Density (g/cm3) | YS (MPa) |
| 7.5 | 350 |
| UTS (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
| 540 | 15 |
| Unnotched Charpy Impact Energy (J) | Macro Hardness |
| - | 375 HV1 |
| Case Hardened | Young's Modulus (GPa) |
| 56 - 62 HRC | - |
Low alloy steels provide a superior combination of mechanical properties compared to plain carbon steels. Through controlled alloying and post-sintering heat treatment, these materials can reach high tensile strengths and hardness levels while maintaining ductility. This makes them ideal for applications that demand durability and fatigue resistance.
These attributes are particularly valuable in applications where parts must endure repeated mechanical stress or resist deformation.
The MIM process allows for highly intricate geometries that would be challenging or impossible to produce with traditional machining or casting. Low alloy steels are well-suited to this method, enabling:
This design freedom reduces the need for assemblies and fasteners, streamlining manufacturing and improving reliability.
For projects requiring thousands or millions of identical parts, low alloy steels in MIM deliver strong economic value. Benefits include:
Compared to alternative manufacturing methods, MIM with low alloy steels often results in a lower total cost per part, especially for medium-to-high volume production runs.
Low alloy steels are used in:
Their mechanical robustness and adaptability make them a go-to material for engineers seeking reliable, high-performance metal injection molded parts.
While stainless steels offer corrosion resistance, low alloy steels typically outperform them in strength and hardness when heat-treated. For non-corrosive environments, low alloy steels provide a cost-effective alternative with higher mechanical performance.
Tool steels offer superior hardness and wear resistance but are often more expensive and brittle. Low alloy steels offer:
This makes low alloy steels ideal for parts that need strength and durability, but not the extreme hardness of tool steels.
Unlike titanium or stainless implant-grade materials, low alloy steels are not suitable for biocompatible or medical implant applications. They may introduce biocompatibility concerns and are not corrosion-resistant enough for long-term bodily exposure.
Instead, low alloy steels are best deployed in mechanical, structural, or industrial use cases.
