The use of powder metal has skyrocketed in the past several years. For components difficult to manufacture by any other methods. And, because P/M components offer a cost-effective alternative to other metal-formed components. Key advantages are making powder metallurgy THE choice for leading manufacturers worldwide looking for lower costs, improved quality, increased productivity and greater design flexibility.
- Diversity and flexibility of material properties available to increase performance and reduce machining
- Converting to P/M from cast or machined components can save as much as 40%
- Improves productivity – eliminates or minimizes machining
- High raw material utilization (close to 100%)
- Reduces energy consumption
- Enables rapid and low-cost mass production
- Offers unmatched design flexibility – simple cylinder to multi-level component
- High dimensional accuracy
- Good surface finish
- Durability of dies and tooling – high volumes can be produced at high speeds
- Materials can be heat-treated for increased strength or increased wear-resistance
- Controlled porosity for self-lubrication or filtration
- Increases strength and corrosion resistance
- Environmentally friendly – saves natural resources through recycling, conserves raw materials and manufacturing process yields low emissions
- With P/M, even "impossible" material combinations – like graded structures or composite metals – are possible
