Powder metallurgy

Powder metallurgy is the process of blending fine powdered materials, pressing them into a desired shape (compacting), and then heating the compressed material in a controlled atmosphere to bond the material (sintering). The powder metallurgy process generally consists of four basic steps: (1) powder manufacture, (2) powder blending,(3) compacting, (4) sintering. Compacting is generally performed at room temperature, and the elevated-temperature process of sintering is usually conducted at atmospheric pressure. Optional secondary processing often follows to obtain special properties or enhanced precision.[1] Two main techniques used to form and consolidate the powder are sintering and metal injection molding. Recent developments have made it possible to use rapid manufacturing techniques which use the metal powder for the products. Because with this technique the powder is melted and not sintered, better mechanical strength can be accomplished.

metallurgy
A metallurgical engineer usually works in the steel and iron business, either in the processing of raw materials or in an industry that manufactures machinery or products made of metal. He often develops different processing methods for metal to more economically and easily turn it into useful products. Although steel and iron are the most common metals worked with by a metallurgical engineer, a smaller percentage work exclusively with aluminum or copper. Much like metallurgists or metallurgical scientists, metallurgical engineers muse advanced equipment such as X-ray devices, spectrographs, and electron microscopes in their research and development. They are required to keep abreast of all the latest advancements in related scientific and technical fields. Their work may be confined to a laboratory or require travel to remote sites and plants. The two main types of metallurgy are physical and extractive. The former concentrates on the physical properties and structures of alloys and metals. The latter is devoted to separating metal from ore. Physical metallurgical engineers are dedicated to developing of new alloys and production processes for welding, alloying, melting, and casting. Since most metals cannot be utilized in their purest forms, it is necessary to create combinations, or alloys, that can provide strong yet lightweight metal for car bodies and electronic devices among other items. This type of metallurgical engineer most often works in labs or manufacturing operations.