Challenges of high density

During recent decades the development of new iron and steel powders and processes has led to a considerable expansion of PM applications. Increasing demand for high performance components has demanded materials and processes that deliver improved mechanical properties with maintained precision of tolerance control at reduced costs. As density influences mechanical properties in general and dynamic properties in particular, PM components with densities > 7.2 g.cm exp -3 will be required. Methods such as double pressing and sintering and powder forging (PF) both provide higher densities than traditional single pressing and sintering but their use is in many cases constrained by cost and geometrical considerations. Therefore to further extend the use of PM the industry has to develop cost effective materials and processing methods to further improve density and performance of the parts.