Selection of Powder Metal Materials

As a materials based technology, Powder Metallurgy has wide and varied application, the most prominent of which is in the manufacture of mechanical components for the hard goods manufacturers. In spite of P/M’ s excellent reputation in the automotive, appliance, and related industries, the technology has yet to receive the wide acceptance it seeks. Studies commissioned to ascertain the reasons for the lack of full acceptance of P/M by design engineers have indicated that the absence of easily applied materials specifications is part of the problem. Measures being taken to ease this difficulty, as well as some suggestions for selecting P/M materials, are discussed.