Abstract: Continuous powder metallurgy compacts are produced from metal powder (1) placed in a tapered powder consolidation region (2) of a forming die (1). The die is made to undergo ultrasonic radial vibration about the consolidation region to effect radial compaction of the powder. The powder is progressively densified as it moves through the die, due to the tapered construction of the consolidation region, and emerges from the die at sufficient density to allow handling and further processing.

Abstract: Sintered ferrous alloys of at least 90% theoretical density are obtained by sintering a powder mixture containing atomized copper-free ferrous slloy, copper phosphide and, optionally, copper, copper alloy and/or graphite to provide a sintered alloy containing, in percentages by weight, 0.6-2.5% carbon, 2-8% chromium, 4.2-20% copper, 0.5-10% molybdenum, 0.4-1.2 % phosphorus, 1-20% tungsten, 1-5% vanadium, and optionally, up to 12% cobalt, up to 2% manganese and up to 2% nickel and the balance being iron and less than 2% impurities. The % carbon content is in the range CCC % -0.1% to CCC % +0.3% (where CCC % is the calculated carbon content =(CWE/20)-0.4 and CWE=% tungsten content +twice % molybdenum content +six times % vanadium content) and the copper phosphide contains 2 to 14% phosphorus. The sintered compact is cooled at a rate which prevents hardening and can subsequently be machined and/or heat treated.