All the Primary Benefits and Drawbacks of the Powder Metallurgy Process

September 14, 2021

Powder metallurgy is a manufacturing process that utilises powdered metal in creating the needed products by other industries. This specific process can be done in four basic steps.

The first step involves the production of powdered metals. Metal materials can be converted into powder through atomisation, grinding, chemical reaction, or electrolysis process. Once the powdered metals are produced, they will then be blended with other material powders, additives, binders, and lubricants. The third step of the process entails the compacting of the prepared powder mixtures. Ultimately, the compacted materials are exposed to high temperatures so that their elements will be bonded strongly.

The steps involved in conducting the powder metallurgy can truly help industries gain a wide array of benefits. However, the powder metallurgy process can also pose some drawbacks to certain industries.

Benefits of the Powder Metallurgy Process

Many industries maximise the powder metallurgy process due to the benefits it can bring.

For one, the said process can generate parts and components that require complicated shapes and specifications without expecting any loss in their quality. Another benefit of the powder metallurgy process is that it can create products out of different combinations of material. The durability of powder metallurgy products, as well as their porosity and self-lubrication properties, are enhanced significantly since they can boast common to unique combinations of powdered metal components. Powdered metal components can even be mixed with ceramics, which can boost the former’s existing qualities.

Despite the complicated nature of powder metallurgy products, the whole process of generating them does not require high skilled operators. They can even be produced at very high rates, ensuring that industries can obtain their needed products in just a short time. These benefits enable manufacturers to save on labour, machining, and other expenses that are typically costly to other processes.

Drawbacks of the Powder Metallurgy Process

Even though the powder metallurgy process has exemplary benefits, the process and its products can still boast some drawbacks and limitations.

One of the known drawbacks of the powder metallurgy process is that it requires a lot of money to purchase its needed equipment pieces. Even the costs of raw materials can be very high at times. The only time the powder metallurgy process can justify the high costs of these things is if a company will supply a lot of products to various industries.

As for the parts and components produced by the process, their size may be restricted effectively due to the maximum capacity of the press. Products that are meant to have intricate designs may likewise be difficult to produce since metal powders have less flow quality. The process can likewise yield products that have low impact and fatigue properties. Ultimately, the powder metallurgy process cannot maximise specific types of metal powders since they may explode during the sintering procedure.

Despite the drawbacks of the powder metallurgy process, it is still being maximised by automotive, electronics, and manufacturing industries since the benefits of the process can help them achieve their desired products. To know more about the process, you can call us at PM Distributors.

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