Considerations and Solutions for Improving Sustainability and Competitiveness of PM Structural Parts, Views in Europe and Japan

Improving sustainability and competitiveness of PM structural parts requires a great deal of focus and efforts. This work shows considerations and solutions based on scientific analysis and estimations1). Priorities for reduction of energy consumption are sintering, compaction, heat treatment and finish machining. Mainly used in PM alloy systems and base powders (Fe-Cu-C or diffusion-alloyed Fe-Ni-Cu-Mo) require changes in terms of energy consumption, carbon neutrality, material resources and recycling. Availability of fossil free energy, hydrogen, biogas and development of CCS/CCU (Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization) differs in Europe and Japan or from country to country. Various solutions in this work are expected to encourage PM structural parts making industry to shift from theory to practice in order to remain competitive.