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

A method (1200) of removing flash (180) from a gauge portion (120) of a monolithic precursor test coupon (100) using a flash-removal tool (1000), the flash-removal tool (1000) comprising a tool body (1002), extending along a longitudinal tool axis (1004), a tooth (1010), and an engagement surface (1020), spaced apart from the tooth (1010) along the longitudinal tool axis (1004), wherein the tooth (1010) projects from the tool body (1002) in a first direction (1090) and comprises a shearing surface (1014), facing in the first direction (1090) and located an offset distance (1012) away from the longitudinal tool axis (1004) in a second direction (1092), and wherein the first direction (1090) and the second direction (1092) are orthogonal to each other and define a plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal tool axis (1004), the method (1200) comprising steps of:

• coupling the engagement surface (1020) of the flash-removal tool (1000) against a first precursor-coupon end (102) of the monolithic precursor test coupon (100);
• orienting the longitudinal tool axis (1004) parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis (106) of the monolithic precursor test coupon (100), wherein the shearing surface (1014) registers longitudinally with the flash (180);
• and
• shearing, using the shearing surface (1014), the flash (180) from the gauge portion (120).