How P/M Parts are Made

The three basic steps for producing conventional density parts by the powder metallurgy process are Pre-Mixed Powder (Raw Materials), Compacting, and Sintering. A brief explanation of each step follows:

Step One: Pre-Mixed Powder (Raw Materials)

We start with certified pre-mixed, locally produced metal powders with lubricants or other alloy additions that produce a homogeneous mixture of ingredients.

Step Two: Compacting

  • A controlled amount of mixed powder is automatically gravity-fed into a precision die and is compacted, usually at room temperature. Normally, compacting pressures in the range of 30 - 50 tons per square inch are used.
  • Compacting the loose powder produces a "green compact" which, with conventional pressing techniques, has the size and shape of the finished part when ejected from the die, and sufficient strength for in-process handling and transporting to a sintering furnace. Typical compacting techniques use rigid dies set into special mechanical or hydraulic presses.

Step Three: Sintering

  • In the typical sintering step, the green compact is placed on a wide-mesh belt and slowly moved through a controlled atmosphere furnace. The parts are heated to below the melting point of the base metal, held at the sintering temperature, and then cooled.
  • Basically a solid state process, sintering transforms compacted mechanical bonds between the powder particles to metallurgical bonds. This provides the P/M part's primary functional properties.
  • P/M parts are generally ready for use after sintering. However, to provide special properties, the parts can be repressed, impregnated, machined, tumbled, plated, heat treated, or welded.

Finishing Options:

Sintergy offers extensive finishing options, such as Machining, Tapping, Honing, Grinding, Tumbling, Grit Blasting, Oiling, Heat Treating, and Plating, as well as several other possibilities.