Monolithic precursor test coupons for testing material properties of metal-injection-molded components and methods and apparatuses for making such coupons

A method of making a test coupon using a mold, the mold defining a mold cavity that comprises a first-grip-portion cavity, a second-grip-portion cavity, an intermediate-portion cavity, interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity, and runner cavities, directly interconnecting the first-grip-portion cavity and the second-grip-portion cavity and not directly connected to the intermediate-portion cavity, the method comprising steps of:

• injecting feedstock material, comprising a metal powder, into the mold cavity to form a monolithic precursor test coupon in the mold cavity, wherein the monolithic precursor test coupon comprises a first grip portion, having a shape complementary to that of the first-grip-portion cavity, a second grip portion, having a shape complementary to that of the second-grip-portion cavity, an intermediate portion, having a shape complementary to that of the intermediate-portion cavity, and runners, each having a shape complementary to that of a corresponding one of the runner cavities;
• and
• removing the runners from the monolithic precursor test coupon.