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Phone: (860) 379-2753 sales@sterlingsintered.com

Precision Powdered Metal Parts since 1955

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PM Process - Overview

The basic PM process can be broken down into four sequential steps:


Blending

Compaction

Sintering

Coining

Blending (brief)

  • PM alloys are pre-mixed in the powdered state using mechanical blenders
  • Highly specialized blenders are utilized to create and homogenize that mix.
  • The blends used at Sterling Sintered are usually made in 5,000 to 20,000 pound batches.
  • Blending can often happen such that thousands to millions of parts can be made from a single batch.
  • Click here for a more detailed description of blending.
  • Click to see the process controls utilized at Sterling Sintered during blending.

Compaction (brief)

  • Compaction of PM parts happen under very high pressures.
  • Compaction pressures of 80,000 psi are not uncommon.
  • Powder flows downward into the mold die from the feed shoe using gravity.
  • A compaction punch enters the die, sealing it off from above.
  • That top punch in conjunction with punch(s) from below compact the powder in the die increasing the powder density as they do.
  • The top punch retracts
  • The bottom punch pushes the part out of the die.
  • Many times, the part shape dictates the use of multiple punches and motions during compaction.
  • Sterling Sintered has many compacting presses with multiple motions ranging from 4 to 110 Ton capacity.
  • See our case study page for examples of part designs.
  • Click here (link) for a more detailed description of Compaction.
  • Click to see the process controls utilized at Sterling Sintered during compaction.


Sintering (brief)

  • Sintering of PM parts happens at elevated temperatures.
  • The parts are heated to a hot enough temperature that the metals weld together.
  • Also, elemental ingredients diffuse and the final alloy is created.
  • A reducing atmosphere consisting of Hydrogen and Nitrogen is used to protect the metals.
  • Next the parts are cooled down to room temperature.
  • Specialized Sintering can occur at Sterling Sintered to accomplish specific effects.
  • Copper infiltration can increase a steel part’s strength significantly.
  • Varying the protective atmosphere can also affect certain mechanical properties.
  • Sterling Sintered can vary that atmosphere all the way from 100% Hydrogen to
    100% Nitrogen to swing those properties. Most of our competition is locked in at one ratio.
  • We can also vary the cooling rates such that some steel materials can land in the
    Rockwell C scale without post-process Heat Treatment!
  • Click here (link) for a more detailed description of Sintering.
  • Click to see the process controls utilized at Sterling Sintered during sintering.

Coining (brief)

  • Where needed (less than 10% of the time) Coining and Sizing operations
    are used to reduce dimensional variation and/or improve part properties.
  • Let the Sterling Sintered engineering department help you balance product requirements and cost.
  • Click here (link) for a more detailed description of Coining.
  • Click to see the process controls utilized at Sterling Sintered during coining.

Other Secondaries

  • Nearly any secondary operation that can be performed to a wrought part
    can be performed on a mechanical component made by PM technology.
  • Click here for more details on secondary operations available at Sterling Sintered Technology.
  • Click to see the process controls utilized at Sterling Sintered during Secondary Oprns.

If you have any questions on the PM process, give us a call. We are available to discuss your PM needs M-F, 9-5 GMT-5, at 860-379-2753.

Sterling Sintered Technologies, Inc.

249 Rockwell Street

Winsted, CT 06098

Phone: (860)379-2753

Fax: (860)738-0664

Email: sales@sterlingsintered.com

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Request Quote
  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Powder Metal Manufacturing Capabilities
  • PM Process for Sintered Metal
  • PM Materials
  • PM Advantages of Powdered Metal
  • PM Tooling
  • PM Parts Quality
  • Simultaneous Design & Engineering
  • Secondary & Finishing Services
  • Case Histories/Examples
  • Resources
  • Contact Us