Powder Metallurgy is a technological process for manufacturing metallic materials, composite materials, and various types of products by obtaining metal powders or using metal powders (or mixtures of metal powders and non-metallic powders) as raw materials and going through forming and sintering.

Process steps

1. Powder production

- There are multiple methods for producing metal powders. For instance, the mechanical comminution method involves making bulk metals into powders through mechanical means such as crushing and grinding; the atomization method utilizes high-speed gas or liquid flows to break liquid metals into tiny metal droplets, which then solidify into powders, much like "blowing apart" molten metal into powders.

2. Mixing

- If alloys need to be manufactured or other components are to be added, different metal powders and additive powders are placed in a mixer and thoroughly mixed to ensure uniform distribution of various components.

3. Press forming

- The mixed powder is placed in a mold and subjected to a certain pressure to form a green compact with the desired shape. This process is similar to making cookies, where the powder is put into the mold and extruded to achieve the desired shape.

4. Sintering

- The green compact is heated at a high temperature below the melting point of the metal, and metallurgical bonding occurs between the powder particles. This process improves the strength, density, and other properties of the product, as if "sintering" the loose powder into a whole.

Process advantages

- High material utilization rate: Compared to traditional metal processing methods, powder metallurgy generates less waste during the production process because it is directly formed from powders, reducing material loss during processing such as cutting.

- Can produce parts with complex shapes: It is capable of manufacturing parts with complex geometries, porous structures, or other special structures. For example, some parts with internal channels or fine patterns are difficult to manufacture using other processes, but powder metallurgy can do it easily.

- Precise control of product properties: By adjusting parameters such as powder composition, particle size, pressing pressure, and sintering conditions, the final properties of the product, such as density, hardness, and porosity, can be controlled relatively precisely.