Challenges for the 21st century

The fundamentals of the P/M industry in North America have never been stronger. Raw materials suppliers, equipment manufacturers and their customers who fabriacte P/M parts, are investing and expanding. Markets for ferrous and nonferrous powders, P/M parts and PIM parts are assessed in retrospect and into the next century. Market opportunities for the utilization of advanced particulate materials are also considered; these include high speed steels, metal matrix composites and nanostructured alloys. Technology transfer is reflected in the activities of the MPIF Technical Board, the MPIF web site and programs sponsored by the Center for Powder Metallurgy Technology.