Processing sulphur contaminated metal powder

A method of forming a component by introducing gas which includes H2 into a can containing sulphur contaminated metal powder, the can being usable in a consolidation process. At least some gas is removed from the can, and by means of sensing the hydrogen sulphide content of this gas, the sulphur content of the metal powder is determined. When the sulphur content of the metal powder is below 5 parts per million by weight it is consolidated by hot isostatic pressing, extrusion or forging, either in the can which holds the metal powder during desulphurization, or in another can. Gas is introduced into the can for 1-20 hours and the method is performed within 300 {C of the incipient melting temperature of the metal powder. The method can be used to form a turbine hub, a turbine disc, a rotating seal, a compressor or an impeller from a nickel-based superalloy.