Kalashnikov Concern has expanded the use of powder metallurgy in the production of the 5.45-mm AK-12 assault rifle. Several more weapon components have been fully switched to injection molding of polymer materials highly filled with metal powders, the company reported.
MIM technology (Metal Injection Moulding) has proven highly effective in manufacturing parts with complex geometric shapes. It replaces labor-intensive traditional methods. This method allows for obtaining an almost finished part without a large number of subsequent machining operations. Moreover, the surface quality of MIM parts is higher than that of parts obtained by investment casting.
Kalashnikov's production capacities for MIM blanks are designed for further volume increases. Specialists continue to search for new nomenclature: they are conducting design and technological tests of more complex parts for the entire range of the concern's small arms.
The transition to MIM technology allows the enterprise to timely fulfill growing government contracts. The 2023 model AK-12 remains the most in-demand weapon. Under the 2026 contract, rifles of this model are shipped in large batches without delays.