Metal Powder
Metal powder is used in the powder metallurgy process to make solid metal products. During this process, the solid metal material is reduced to individual particles, or powder, through one of many processes.
Quick links to Metal Powder Information
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Bronze
- Nickel
- Brass
- Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Nickel
- Titanium
Alloy powders can be created from a combination of these basic materials.
Metal powder is the starting product for the process of powder metallurgy in which solid metal products are fabricated.
Some of the most common methods are:
- Atomization
- Chemical Precipitation
- Centrifugal Disintegration
- Hydrogen Reduction
Atomization, the most frequently used method, separates molten or liquid metal into tiny separate beads, which are then frozen into a solid form of powder. Centrifugal disintegration uses a rotating electrode and metal rod within a chamber. The resulting force melts droplets off the metal, solidifying and forming a powder. Grinding and chemical reactions are also commonly used to formulate a metal powder from a solid metal piece. Once a metal has been deconstructed into powder form, it can then be used to fabricate products through the process of powder metallurgy.
- Automobile Components
- Structural Parts
- Filtration Systems
- Magnetic Assemblies
- Metal Powder
- Powder Metallurgical Construction
Powder metallurgy is a simple method that consists of:
- Mixing the metal powder.
- Compacting it into a die.
- Then Sintering, or Heating, the die to form a solid shape.
- The powder is melted, fusing it and causing it to bond in the shape of the die.
- The result is a solid metal part, also known as a sintered metal part.
Powder metallurgy, or PM, is a cost-effective fabrication process as it results in minimal waste. Other types of metal fabrication processes result in products that need a lot of secondary finishing or result in lots of scrap metal pieces. Powder metallurgy uses the metal powders conservatively, and the pieces do not require excessive finishing. The process can achieve close finish tolerances with simple and complex shape requirements. Natural finishes on most metals are also suitable; therefore, extra heating and finishing are not often required. If solid metal parts undergo further heat treatment, this will add to their strength and level of wear resistance. For the best results in terms of metal density and smooth finish, high purity powders should be used.