Aluminum powder is during in the powder metallurgy process to produce sintered aluminum products. Powder metallurgy, often denoted as P/M, is used to form a solid product by pressing metal powder into a coherent mass without heating the metal to its melting point.
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Aluminum powder is one type of metal powder used in the process of powder metallurgy to construct solid metal parts. Aluminum is a desirable metal fabrication element due to its characteristics of being lightweight and durable. In addition, aluminum is a low density material with high levels of both thermal and electrical conductivity, allowing it to be used in processes which require conduction. It does not often require any secondary finishings or coatings as the natural finish of aluminum is suitable for most applications, even those with an aesthetic function. Aluminum is also quite resistant to corrosion and is used in many applications due to this property, allowing for it to be used in long term installations with minimal maintenance requirements. Industries such as medical, electronics and consumer products, as well as industrial manufacturing all use aluminum powder parts, or other metal powder parts in different applications. Aluminum powder, when it is not used for powder metallurgy, is also widely used in silver paint and in pyrotechnics. Some eye cosmetics also contain aluminum powder as its reflection of light makes it aesthetically appealing. It can also be used in alloys which are also fabricated using powder metallurgy, or PM, as its wear resistance makes its an excellent choice for antifriction purposes in applications with high levels of movement and wear.
Using powder metallurgy in the fabrication of aluminum powder parts allows for the production of complex shapes with extremely close tolerances. Minimal finishing is required on PM solid metal parts as the process is a precise and fitted one. The powdered metal is forced under pressure into a closed die which can range from a simple design to a complex multi-component shape. This die is then heated or sintered, enough so that the powder bonds together into a solid product in the shape of the cavity or mold. There is minimal scrap material produced as a result of this process, making powder metallurgy an environmentally wise manufacturing choice. Aluminum is becoming increasingly popular as a metal fabrication choices as it saves costs both in terms of transportation according to weight, and because it reduces the need for costly secondary fabrication. It can be found in powder, granules, pellets or small pieces, and can also be combined with other metals to create alloys with varying desired characteristics. Unlike aluminum products formed by traditional metalworking processes, aluminum powder used in P/M provides the final product with a high concentration of oxide. This protective oxide layer increases the metal's resistance to corrosion and provides added durability.
