Powder Metallurgy: the route, the tolerances it holds, materials and design tips, with an indicative cost. One of 56 processes in the free finder.
PowderFamily
+/-0.05mmTypical tol.
5Route steps
45Parts in finder
Powder metallurgy presses metal powder into a die to a green shape, then sinters it below melting so the particles bond into a solid part.
At a glance
When to use it, and when not
Best for
Small, complex net-shape parts in high volume, like gears, bushings and carbide tooling.
Watch for
Residual porosity limits strength; part size and aspect ratio are limited.
Step by step
The typical route
Raw material to finished part. Steps vary with material, volume and tolerance; this is the free route from the finder.
Blend
Blend metal powder with lubricant.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Compact
Press the powder in a die to a green compact.
Tooling Compaction die Tolerance - Lead -
Sinter
Sinter in a controlled furnace to bond the particles.
Tooling Furnace Tolerance - Lead -
Size/coin
Coin or size for tolerance; impregnate if a bearing.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Inspect
Check density, dimensions and strength.
Tooling - Tolerance - Lead -
Precision
Tolerances it can hold
TYPICAL TOLERANCE IT CAN HOLD
Where this process typically lands. Tighter is possible with extra operations like grinding, at higher cost.
Materials
Materials it suits
Grade
Why it suits this
Iron/steel powder (FC-0208)
Cheap, strong enough
Bronze (self-lubricating)
Porous bearing
Stainless 316L powder
Corrosion
Design
Design tips
A few general pointers for Powder Metallurgy. The full, part-specific DFM list is in the dossier.
Undercuts / side holes.Design for axial pressing.
Thin walls.Respect PM minimums.
Cost
What it costs
Small net-shape metal parts (gears, bushings) at volume; die-driven, excellent material utilisation.
PER-PART COST vs VOLUME
Per-part cost drops as volume spreads tooling and setup over more parts. The exact figures for your part at your volume, in your currency, are in the dossier.
MODEL EST.
$0.83 to 1.8per part at 1,000 off
A rough ballpark only. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency, with the full breakdown.
GET THE FULL DOSSIER
Everything you need to quote and source it
The free route above is yours. To actually put a number on this process and buy it well:
Should-cost at your exact volume in 12 currencies, with the material, processing, tooling and overhead breakdown
Who to source from, typical MOQ and lead time, and the exact RFQ checklist to send
A quote checker that tells you if a supplier quote is fair, and the red flags to watch
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Powder metallurgy presses metal powder into a die to a green shape, then sinters it below melting so the particles bond into a solid part. The typical route is: Blend; Compact; Sinter; Size/coin; Inspect. Small, complex net-shape parts in high volume, like gears, bushings and carbide tooling.
What does Powder Metallurgy cost per part?
It depends on size, tolerance and volume. As a rough ballpark it starts around $0.83 to 1.8 per part at low volume and falls with quantity. The dossier gives should-cost at your exact volume and currency. Model estimates, not quotes.
What tolerance can Powder Metallurgy hold?
Typically about +/-0.05 mm, tighter with extra finishing operations at higher cost.
What materials suit Powder Metallurgy?
Common choices are Iron/steel powder (FC-0208) (Cheap, strong enough); Bronze (self-lubricating) (Porous bearing); Stainless 316L powder (Corrosion).
See the exact route and should-cost for your part
The free finder maps your part to its process and full route. Pro adds should-cost at your volume, sourcing and an RFQ draft.
