Powder Metallurgy: Is it Really Sustainable?

May 26, 2021

A wide array of processes and techniques are available today in processing different materials. But when it comes to metal powders, the powder metallurgy process is known to be the dominant way of turning these powders into something very useful.

Powder metallurgy covers a wide range of processes that generate parts and components out of metal powders. Some of the known processes of powder metallurgy are metal injection moulding, isostatic process, and metal additive manufacturing. But no matter what specific powder metallurgy process is conducted, the benefits that industries can get from their parts and products are typically similar.

Noteworthy Advantages of Powder Metallurgy

One of the most notable advantages of powder metallurgy is that it can minimise scrap losses. The processes of powder metallurgy can easily reduce and even avoid the need to maximise metal removal procedures. And since these processes are avoided, the wasteful losses in terms of the materials used can be prevented. Most of the metal powders that are being used for powder metallurgy are all included on the final parts or components, generating only 3% of expected scrap loss.

Aside from minimised scrap losses, powder metallurgy has been beneficial for industries as it can provide great results. The processes involved in powder metallurgy can be thorough. They can produce parts that are similar or close to the final intended dimensions. They can even generate an excellent surface finish. Additionally, any desired shape of the parts and components can be achieved through powder metallurgy, which can be difficult or impractical for other metalworking processes to carry out successfully.

Other advantages of powder metallurgy include enhanced strength, guaranteed resistance to wear, controlled porosity, and assured cost-effectiveness. Powder metallurgy processes can likewise produce moderate- to high-volume components without wasting a lot of resources.

Powder Metallurgy as a Sustainable Solution

The call for embracing sustainability across different industries has been going on for years. Luckily, powder metallurgy processes can guarantee sustainability through their methods and steps. All their previously stated advantages alone make them sustainable. From their cost-effectiveness down to their significant savings of resources, all these things allow them to be a great substitute to metalworking processes that will only mess up with the available natural resources for the decades to come.

There are two reasons why powder metallurgy processes can be identified as sustainable. First, the processes of powder metallurgy alone do not truly waste money, time, and energy. The scrap out of the metal powders is minimised tremendously, which can save a lot of money. Powder metallurgy processes can also produce many parts in one go, preserving a lot of time. The steps in processing powder metals are likewise reduced, conserving tons of energy.

Another reason behind the sustainability of the powder metallurgy is that the products of its processes can boast positive impact on the environment. Powder metal parts and products are known to be lightweight and durable, which makes them efficient and useable for a long time. And since they do not need to be replaced frequently, the amount of wasted parts and products is significantly minimised.

Powder metallurgy is truly sustainable as both its processes and its products do not waste any resources. For more information about powder metallurgy, just contact us at PM Distributors.

Sources:

Kerns, J. (2016, July 28). Powder-Metallurgy Processes. MachineDesign. https://www.machinedesign.com/materials/metals/article/21834821/powdermetallurgy-processes.

Metal Powder Industries Federation. (n.d.). Powder Metallurgy: A Green Technology. Metal Powder Industries Federation > Intro to PM > A Green Technology. https://www.mpif.org/IntrotoPM/AGreenTechnology.aspx.

 

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