P M IN AUSTRALIA

The early 1990s was a difficult time for the Australian P/M industry. However most P/M manufacturers have since recovered and emerged from t he recession as efficient producers. Research is continuing in many ar eas. In the industry sector company activities have focussed largely o n new product development and the reduction of production costs by imp rovements to materials' compaction, sintering methods and automation. In universities, research has focussed on advanced materials and metal matrix composites. With the continued focus on improvement through bo th academic and industry based research, the outlook for Australian pr oducers is good.