Metal Powder Industry releases PM sustainability report.

Press Release Summary:



Available from MPIF, Powder Metallurgy-Intrinsically Sustainable details measures that quantify contributions powder metallurgy (PM) makes to sustainable manufacturing. Examples include use of recycled steel and copper scrap as starting raw materials for metal powders, minimal process steps and energy use, as well as elimination of waste associated with machining. Environmental benefits include fact that most PM plants only emit cooling water to public water/septic systems.



Original Press Release:



Metal Powder Industry Releases New Sustainability Report



As part of its new Sustainability Initiative, aimed at defining the ways in which the powder metallurgy (PM) part-forming process is a "green" technology, the industry's trade association, the Metal Powder Industries Federation, has just released a new report titled, "Powder Metallurgy-Intrinsically Sustainable."

The report details numerous measures that quantify the many contributions PM makes to sustainable manufacturing. For example, recycled steel and copper scrap is used as starting raw materials for the hundreds of thousands of tons of metal powders produced annually in North America. It is estimated that 85 percent of all PM grade metal powders are produced from these recycled materials. As a manufacturing process for precision metal parts, PM's sustainable value stems from its net-shape capabilities, very high materials-utilization ratio and lower energy input.

As cited in the report, a 312 gram PM steel truck-transmission notch segment requires only six steps in the PM manufacturing process, compared to 17 steps when making the same part at 300 grams by forging and machining. PM also uses less energy at 1.243 kWh per piece compared to 2.847 kWh for the forged part.

The net-shape feature of the PM process eliminates the waste associated with machining that can result in as much as 40 percent of materials being machined away and discarded. While machining scrap can be recycled, it is extraneous to the final part and is a net loss to its material and energy eco-efficiency. On the other hand, PM offers a 95 percent material utilization rate, and uses less energy than cold and warm extrusion, hot forging, and machining.

Compared with other manufacturing processes, PM displays fewer environmental hazards. Final machining operations on PM parts for special tolerances are minimal, and in most cases result in a reduction of cutting oils per pound produced. Most PM plants only emit cooling water to public water/septic systems, minimizing the release of toxic chemicals.

Technology improvements in metal powder and PM parts manufacturing are further improving PM's already acknowledged sustainability benefits. Several MPIF constituent associations are developing programs to compile and release new information further substantiating why PM is a recognized green technology.

As part of this initiative, industry companies will be utilizing a new "green" logo supporting the sustainability claim in various promotion and distribution channels."

The MPIF report "Powder Metallurgy - Intrinsically Sustainable" is available by contacting James Dale at 609 452-7700 or jdale@mpif.org.

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