What is powder metallurgy?
Powder metallurgy is a manufacturing process that is used for producing finished or semi-finished objects. This is done by compressing the metal powder into suitable dies. This metallurgical process is one of the cheapest that offers high quality, and strength. It is also used to get complex shapes with a high degree of accuracy. Because of this, the process is suitable for mass production.
Powder metallurgy is a process that has existed for more than 100 years, which is over the past quarter-century. It has been a superior method of producing high-quality parts for different important applications. The process was successful because it offers greater benefits over other metal forming processes such as forging and metal casting, etc. These benefits further include material utilization, shape complexity, near-net-shape dimensional control, among others. Because of this, powder metallurgy was recognized as green technology.
The Automotive applications
About 80% of powder metallurgy parts are for automotive applications. Around 75% of these components are for transmissions both automatic and manual and engine parts. These transmission applications include synchronizer system parts, clutch hubs, gear shift components, planetary gear carriers, turbine hubs, clutch, and pocket plates. The engine parts that are made with powder metallurgy include pulleys, sprockets, and hubs, particularly the ones associated with the engine timing belt system, valve guides, valve seat inserts, PM lobes for assembled camshafts, balancer gears, camshaft bearing caps, and engine management sensor rings.
Some other automotive system uses powder metallurgy in some its parts which include:
· Oil pumps, especially gears.
· Shock absorbers such as piston rod guides, piston valves, end valves.
· Anti-lock braking systems (ABS), its sensor rings.
· Flanges, oxygen sensor bosses of exhaust systems.
· Variable valve timing systems.
· Turbochargers
· Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems
· Chassis components
· Continuously variable transmissions.
· Read more: Everything you need to know about the rolling process
Other applications of powder metallurgy include:
· Aerospace applications
· Oil and gas industry.
· Health care sector, etc.
