THE FOUNDATION OF OUR MANUFACTURING EXPERTISE

Powder metallurgy – from metal powder to precision

Powder metallurgy (PM) is an overarching manufacturing field that, per DIN standards, comprises several process families – from classic pressing and sintering technology to metal injection molding (MIM) and soft magnetic composite materials (SMC) through to additive manufacturing with metal powders. What all these processes have in common is the starting material: metal powder, which is processed into high-precision metal components through different shaping and compaction processes. Schunk Sinter Metals masters three of these process families – and selects the technically and economically optimal process for every requirement. Schunk Sinter Metals has been rooted in powder metallurgy for over 100 years. We master three complementary processes – axial pressing, metal injection molding (MIM), and additive manufacturing – and select the technically and economically optimal process for every requirement.

Why powder metallurgy is superior to conventional processes

Material efficiency

Material utilization is almost 100%. Machining processes lose 30 to 70% of the material used as chips, depending on the component. In times of rising raw material prices, this is a significant economic advantage – and a contribution to more sustainable production.

Design freedom

Complex geometries with teeth, splines, pockets, and undercuts are created directly in the shaping step – without additional machining steps. The net-shape principle shortens the process chain and sustainably reduces part costs.

Property tailoring

No other metal manufacturing process offers comparable freedom in tailoring material properties. Porosity, hardness, magnetic properties, and self-lubricating capability can be specifically set through the choice of powder blend and process parameters.

Cost-effectiveness in series production

From just a few thousand parts per year, powder metallurgy is typically more cost-effective than any alternative process – at equal or higher precision and the highest reproducibility across millions of units.

OUR MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

Three processes – one expertise

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Metal Injection Molding (MIM)

Complex geometries. Highest precision.

MIM combines the design freedom of plastic injection molding with the mechanical properties of metal. Undercuts, threads, and wall thicknesses as thin as 0.4 mm are created directly from the process – at densities of minimum 96% and higher.

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Axial Pressing

Proven. Precise. Economical.

The standard process for simple to medium component geometries in high volumes. Press forces from 30 to 8,000 kN, outstanding process stability, and economical large-scale production for ready-to-install sintered parts with tight tolerances.

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Additive Manufacturing

Unlimited geometry. Fast iteration.

For prototypes, one-off parts, and special geometries that cannot be achieved with any other process. As a development tool, it enables fast iteration in early project stages – directly in production-grade materials.

The right process for every requirement

The choice between axial pressing, MIM, and additive manufacturing depends on component geometry, volume, material, and qualification requirements. Schunk Sinter Metals advises customers from the very beginning – as part of our development partnership, we work together to analyze which process is technically and economically optimal for your application, and design the component to be process-appropriate from the outset.

Development partner