BeginnerTopic 28 of 100Materials & Chemical
Powder metallurgy
Pressing and sintering powders produces near-net-shape parts.
In depth
Powders are blended, compacted in dies and sintered below melting to bond particles, giving near-net-shape parts with controlled porosity; hot isostatic pressing gives full density. Used for gears, filters, self-lubricating bearings, tungsten carbide and refractory metals.
Key points
- Sintering mechanisms
- Metal injection moulding
- Density and porosity
ExampleCemented carbide cutting tools are made by sintering WC and cobalt.
What is Powder metallurgy?
Pressing and sintering powders produces near-net-shape parts.
Why is it important to understand powder metallurgy?
Powder metallurgy makes complex small parts near their final shape, which reduces machining and material waste.
What is sintering?
Heating compacted powder below its melting point so the particles bond together and form a dense solid.
What are the limits of powder metallurgy?
Parts are often limited in size and may retain some porosity, which can reduce strength, unless hot isostatic pressing is used.
How is Powder metallurgy used in practice?
Typical applications include producing gears and bushes in large volumes with consistent dimensions, making porous bearings that hold oil and manufacturing hard metal cutting tips from sintered powders.
What should I learn before Powder metallurgy?
Study "Magnesium and light alloys" first (topic 27 of 100 in Materials & Chemical). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
What are the key points of Powder metallurgy?
Sintering mechanisms. Metal injection moulding. Density and porosity.
Can you give an example of Powder metallurgy?
Cemented carbide cutting tools are made by sintering WC and cobalt.
What comes after Powder metallurgy?
The next topic is "Corrosion basics", which builds directly on this one.
How difficult is Powder metallurgy?
It is classed as Beginner in Materials & Chemical (topic 28 of 100). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.