The powder-metallurgy (PM) process, depicted in the diagram below, involves

mixing elemental or alloy powders, compacting the mixture in a die, and then
sintering, or heating, the resultant shapes in an atmosphere-controlled furnace to
metallurgically bond the particles.
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Most powder-metallurgy parts weigh less than 5 lb. (2.27 kg), although parts
weighing as much as 35 lb. (15.89 kg) can be fabricated in conventional PM
equipment. While many of the early PM parts, such as bushings and bearings, were
very simple shapes, today's sophisticated PM process produces components with
complex contours and multiple levels, and does so quite economically.

Spark erosion

Spark erosion is a metal removal process using electric current under carefully controlled conditions.
It is used for precise and accurate fabrication in the field of fixed, removable and implant prostheses.
The scope of this article is to discuss the mechanism of action of the process and its significance in
implant dentistry along with critical evaluation of its merits and demerits.

Monel & K-Monel

Monel, the leading high nickel alloy, combines the properties of high strength and excellent
corrosion resistance. This metal consists of 68 percent nickel, 29 percent copper, 0.2 percent iron, 1
percent manganese, and 1.8 percent of other elements. It cannot be hardened by heat treatment.

Monel, adaptable to casting and hot or cold working, can be successfully welded. It has working
properties similar to those of steel. When forged and annealed, it has a tensile strength of 80,000
psi. This can be increased by cold working to 125,000 psi, sufficient for classification among the
tough alloys.

Monel has been successfully used for gears and chains to operate retractable landing gears, and for
structural parts subject to corrosion. In aircraft, Monel is used for parts demanding both strength
and high resistance to corrosion, such as exhaust manifolds and carburetor needle valves and
sleeves.

K-Monel

K-Monel is a nonferrous alloy containing mainly nickel, copper, and aluminum. It is produced by
adding a small amount of aluminum to the Monel formula. It is corrosion resistant and capable of
being hardened by heat treatment.

K-Monel has been successfully used for gears, and structural members in aircraft which are
subjected to corrosive attacks. This alloy is nonmagnetic at all temperatures. K-Monel sheet has
been successfully welded by both oxyacetylene and electric arc welding.