THE CHALLENGES OF GROWTH - STATE-OF-THE-P M INDUSTRY - NORTH-AMERICA/

The North American P/M industry has enjoyed six years of steady growth with metal powder shipments reaching 440,843mt (485,617st). Growth ma rkets include iron and steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and to ols steel powders. The auto market continues to dominate the conventio nal P/M parts industry. The use of hot isostatic pressing, metal injec tion molding and warm compaction is also growing. P/M research and sta ndards development are becoming increasingly important.