P/M (Powder Metallurgy) involves several manufacturing technologies that use metal powder to enable the net shape manufacture of parts. P/M has been used for the manufacture of ferrous and copper alloy parts for automotive, business machines, and numerous other applications that require high productivity, high quality, and low unit cost. P/M, specifically P&S (Press and Sinter) and MIM (Metal Injection Molding), has been known to the precious metal field for many years. These P/M technologies have been proven to be able to produce high-quality jewelry items at an economic advantage over traditional investment cast and wrought methods. However, there is currently only very limited use of P/M in the jewelry manufacturing sector. This paper will describe the P/M technologies with the most potential for precious metal jewelry applications. A review of the current status of P&S and MIM in jewelry manufacturing will be presented, with emphasis on the salient issues that promote and impede their implementation. In addition, several new developments in P/M will be introduced that could impact its acceptance in the jewelry manufacturing sector.

Author: Dr. Joseph Tunick Strauss