Sintered metal bodies and manufacturing method therefor

A sintered metal body is disclosed of composition consisting essentially of in weight percent about 5 to 40 Cr, about 2 to 30 Al, 0 to about 5 special metal, 0 to about 4 rare earth oxide additive, and the balance Fe group metal and unavoidable impurities, the composition including at least one component selected from component A and/or component B, component A being special metal, and component B being at least an effective amount of rare earth oxide additive, the special metal being a first special metal component, and optionally, a second special metal component when rare earth oxide additive is 0, the first special metal component consisting of at least one of: Y, lanthanides, Zr, Hf, Ti, Si, and B, and the second special metal component consisting of at least one of: alkaline earth metal, Cu, and Sn, and the special metal being a third special metal component when rare earth oxide additive is >0, the third special metal component consisting of at least one of Y, lanthanides, Zr, Hf, Ti, Si, alkaline earth metal, B, Cu, and Sn. The body is excellent in oxidation resistance at high temperatures, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, and can be suitably used by itself as a carrier for catalysts, for exhaust gas purification, etc., or as a monolith catalyst comprising catalyst carrier and catalyst supported thereon, and as a heater or catalytic converter by providing electrodes on the body.