By California Nanotechnologies Corporation
Sintering is one of the foundational steps in powder metallurgy. Imagine taking powdered metal, compacting it into a mold, and then heating it to just below its melting point. At this temperature, the particles bond together without actually melting, creating a solid piece. The end result is a part that holds its shape and has decent mechanical properties — but typically with some residual porosity (tiny internal air pockets). Most sintered parts reach about 90–95% density, which is good, but not always good enough for high-stress applications. Sintering is primarily used to bond powdered particles into solid parts, typically without applying external pressure. While sintering generally achieves 90–95% density... Sintering is more common in the early forming stages... Both processes can be used on metals and ceramics... Sintering is typically your first step in creating a part from powder. It’s fast and cost-effective for many applications. Often, manufacturers use both in tandem: sinter the part to form it, then HIP it to optimize performance. Use sintering to form your parts.
