Powdered Metals Used for Forging

Powdered metal is a fine powder made from metal granules. The metal substrate is atomized and refined to create a consistent, highly specialized powder. Manufacturers use this material to compress and sinter thin layers of metal into a final shape. Powdered metal manufacturing is a popular, cost-effective alternative to traditional manufacturing methods, especially for parts with complex geometries. Learn more about how powdered metals are used for forging and what metals work best.

Where Are Powdered Metals Used?

Virtually every industry uses parts made from powdered metals. Industries often use powdered metals to produce prototypes for testing and design revisions using additive manufacturing. Powdered metals can also be used for fully functional parts used in harsh environments and critical applications depending on the metal’s heat treatments and finishes. Some of the most common applications for powdered metals include:

• Aerospace equipment parts
• Automotive parts
• Biomedical devices
• Brake linings 
• Electrical contacts
• Light bulb filaments
• Marine components
• Spacecraft heat shields

Using Powdered Metals for Forging

In forging, powdered metals are pressed and sintered to create a pre-form. Then the part is heated and hot forged, which results in a full-density part that exhibits enhanced mechanical and metallurgical properties.

Forging is an ideal manufacturing process not only because it enhances certain features of the part, but because it offers a cost-effective and time-saving method for creating various products. Parts made with forging exhibit high ductility and improved resistance to load fatigue and impact. The process is also compatible with a wide range of materials to suit the needs of various applications.

Best Materials for Forging

Forging can be used with numerous powdered metals, each of which offers its owns unique characteristics. Some of the most popularly used powdered metals for forging include:

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel forgings can include chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium, and many other elements in addition to carbon. The amount of carbon determines the hardness. Forging carbon steel is cost-effective and is most suitable for applications that don’t require high strength or high operating temperatures.

Alloy Steel

Alloy steel can include traces of many different metal elements. Each unique alloy has different degrees of wear resistance, hardness, durability, and corrosion resistance.

Microalloy Steel

Microalloy steel contains small amounts of alloying components to increase certain desirable properties while reducing production costs.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is corrosion-resistant due to having a composition of at least 10.5% chromium. Stainless steel is also durable, easy to work with, recyclable, long-lasting, and resistant to extreme temperatures. These qualities make stainless steel appealing for a diverse range of applications.

Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight with an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Forged aluminum components exhibit fracture toughness, resistance to stress corrosion cracking, and tolerance to low temperatures.

Titanium

Titanium is a strong, sturdy metal that can resist physical damage, heat damage, and corrosion. However, titanium requires fine-tuned handling and temperature control during the forging process.

Your Source for Powdered Metals for Forging

At Continental Steel & Tube Company, we supply our clients with specialty metals and powdered metals for use across a diverse array of industries. Our company is ISO 9001:2015 and certified, and we have over 20 years of experience quickly fulfilling orders with high-quality metals, including:

• Ferro Alloys and Manganese Metals. Ferro Boron, Ferro Molybdenum, Ferro Chrome (HC, LC) Molybdenum Oxide, Ferro Niobium, Ferro Manganese (LC), Ferro Silicon, Ferro Tungsten, Ferro Titanium, Silico Manganese, Ferro Vanadium, Electrolytic Manganese Metal
• Minor Metals. Rhenium, Titanium, Tungsten, Chromium, Tantalum, Molybdenum, Zirconium, Niobium, Hafnium, Cerium, Yttrium, Lanthanum
• Master alloys. Nickel boron, nickel magnesium, and many others

We have distribution centers in major manufacturing areas across the United States. Contact us today to learn more about our inventory of titanium, steels, alloys, and more. You can also request a quote to start your order.