Powder Metallurgy Technology FAQs

Powder metallurgy is a near-net-shape process, allowing the production of complex geometries and intricate features.

Powder metallurgy process is a metal-forming method that presses metal powders and sinters green compacts below their melting points to create the final component.

Metal Injection Molding (MIM) is a manufacturing process that combines the plastic injection molding with the precision of conventional powder metallurgy.

Fine metal powder and binders are mixed to create feedstock. The feedstock is then molded by an injection molding machine, followed by debinding and sintering to produce the final product.

Cold Isostatic Pressing is a method used to shape metal powders by applying high pressure from all directions at room temperature. The powder is placed in a flexible rubber mold, then pressed using a fluid like water or oil. 

This creates a dense and uniform green part, which is ideal for complex shapes or large sizes that are hard to press with conventional methods.

Hot isostatic pressing is a process that applies high temperature (800–1350 °C) and high gas pressure (100–200 MPa) at the same time. The pressure is equal in all directions, usually using inert gas like argon.

This method densifies metal powders and removes porosity in cast or sintered parts. It improves strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance, often matching forged material quality.

Unlike conventional sintering, hot pressing applies both high temperature (up to ~2400 °C) and uniaxial pressure at the same time to compact powder in a heated die. Pressing and sintering occur in one step.

It achieves near-full density and high mechanical strength, ideal for ceramics, hard metals, and diamond composites, though mostly limited to simple part shapes.

Powder forging forms parts by compressing a sintered or unsintered powder preform using a forging press. The process increases density and improves strength, often up to 99%.

Powder forging process combines the shape precision of powder metallurgy with the strength of forging—commonly used for parts like gears, shafts, and connecting rods.

Instead of starting from ingots, powder rolling uses metal powder fed through rotating rolls to form thin green strips. The strips are then sintered, rolled, and annealed to improve density and properties.

It reduces energy use, equipment cost, and material waste—making it suitable for multilayer composites, porous filters, and titanium sheets used in aerospace and electronics.

Spray forming turns a stream of molten metal into fine droplets with a high-pressure gas jet. The droplets solidify in flight and land on a moving collector, building a dense billet with a uniform microstructure.

Spray forming cuts segregation, makes near-net-shape bars or rings, and handles alloys that are hard to cast, such as high-speed steel and nickel-based superalloys.

Loose Powder Sintering fills a mold with free-flowing metal powder, which is then sintered without prior compaction. The powder bonds during heating to form a porous or semi-dense part.

It is mainly used for making porous filters and simple shapes with fewer steps and lower tooling cost.

Metal Additive Manufacturing builds parts layer by layer using metal powder and a heat source like a laser or electron beam. The powder melts and solidifies to form precise shapes.

It allows complex designs with less material waste and is used for aerospace, medical, and industrial parts.