Rear Night Sight for Rifle

Finished Weight of Component :
Density (g/cm3) : 7.82 g/cm3
Tensile Strenght (N/mm2) : 430 MPa
Yield Strength (=0.2% N/mm2) : 295 MPa
Hardness : 55RC
Treatment : case hardening
Description: Tolerance on dimensions is 0.5% and, using a thermoplastic binder with the iron-7% nickel alloy, a sintered density of 7.82 g/cm3 is reached. Mechanical properties specified include: tensile strength of 430 MPa, yield strength of 295 MPa, hardness of 55RC (after case hardening) and elastic modulud of 203 GPa.

The part replaces one previously made by machining and it is obvious in view of the complicated shape and the holes in different directions, that machining was expensive. The night sight is used in the M-16 rifle. By using MIM a price reduction of 60% was achieved for the rear night sight using G.T.L.S. (tritium light source). No surface treatment is required other than case hardening.