Powder Metallurgy - or P/M - is highly developed method of manufacturing reliable ferrous and nonferrous parts. Made by mixing elemental or alloy powders and compacting the mixture in a die, the resultant shapes are then sintered or heated in a controlled-atmosphere furnace to bond the particles metallurgically. Basically a "chipless" metalworking process, P/M typically uses more than 97% of the starting raw material in the finished part. Because of this, P/M is an energy and materials conserving process.

The P/M process is cost effective in producing simple or complex parts at, or very close to, final dimensions in production rates which can range from a few hundred to several thousand parts per hour. As a result, only minor, if any, machining is required. P/M parts also may be sized for closer dimensional control and/or coined for both higher density and strength.

Most P/M parts weigh less than 5 pounds (2.27kg), although parts weighing as much as 35 pounds (15.89kg) can be fabricated in conventional P/M equipment. Many of the early P/M parts, such as bushings and bearings, were very simple shapes, as contrasted with the complex contours and multiple levels which are often produced economically today.

**This page compliments of MPIF