Powder Metallurgy & Sintered Components

High-density metal technology for intricate, high-performance parts.

Overview Process Capabilities Material Expertise Applications Products

Powder Metallurgy (PM) is a high-efficiency process used to create complex metal parts by pressing metal powders into a die and heating them to bond the particles. This "Sintering" process produces parts with excellent surface finishes and almost zero material waste, making it the preferred choice for high-volume, precision engineering.

Process

1. Mixing the Powder We start with fine metal powders (like Iron, Copper, or Bronze). We mix them with special lubricants so the powder flows smoothly into the molds and achieves the exact "recipe" your part needs.
2. Pressing (Compaction) The powder is fed into a high-precision mold. A massive press squeezes the powder with tons of force. At this stage, the part has its shape, but it is still fragile (called a "Green Part").
3. Sintering (Hardening) The parts go into a long, high-heat furnace. We heat them just below their melting point. This causes the metal particles to fuse together into a solid, strong piece of metal without actually melting the whole part.
4. Sizing (Final Shaping) Since metal shrinks slightly when heated, we often "strike" the part one more time in a precision mold. This ensures the size is exactly right and the surface is perfectly smooth.
5. Special Finishing Depending on what the part is used for, we can add extra features:
Self-Lubricating: We can soak the part in oil so it never needs greasing (common for bearings).
Sealing: We can seal the tiny pores so the part can hold air or liquid pressure.
6. Quality Check Every batch is tested for hardness and strength. We make sure the "bond" between the metal particles is perfect so the part won't break under a heavy load.

Capabilities

We use various shaping and densification technologies to meet your exact part requirements:

Sintering: The core process where compacted metal powder is heated in a controlled atmosphere to create a strong, solid structure.
Metal Injection Moulding (MIM): Combines the design flexibility of plastic injection moulding with the strength of metal. Ideal for small, complex parts that are difficult to machine.
Secondary Calibration (Sizing): A post-sintering process where we re-press the part to achieve ultra-tight tolerances and improved surface density.
Infiltration & Impregnation: Filling the pores of the sintered part with oil (for self-lubricating bearings) or lower-melting-point metals for added strength.

Material Expertise

Our facility works with a wide range of metal powders to suit different electrical and mechanical needs:

Iron & Steel Alloys: All grades for structural parts, gears, and automotive components.
Copper & Bronze: Standard Copper, CopperSA, and Bronze-including Lead Bronze for high-wear bushings and bearings.
Tungsten Copper: High-conductivity material specifically engineered for electrical contacts and thermal management.