Advantages & limitations of Powder metallurgy
• Efficient material utilization
• Enables close dimensional tolerances – near net shape possible
• Good surface finish
• Manufacture of complex shapes possible
• Hard materials used to make components that are difficult to machine can be readily made – tungsten wires for incandescent lamps
• Environment friendly, energy efficient
• Suited for moderate to high volume component production
• Powders of uniform chemical composition => reflected in the finished part
• wide variety of materials => miscible, immiscible systems; refractory metals
• Parts with controlled porosity can be made
• High cost of powder material & tooling
• Less strong parts than wrought ones
• Less well known process
