Abstract: A method for the manufacture of piston ring inserts by a powder metallurgy technique from austenitic ferrous alloys with an equivalent carbon content of more than 2%, said method comprising the following steps: melting a charge composed of an austenitic ferrous alloy having a total carbon content in excess of 2%; pouring the molten alloy and atomizing it by means of a stream of water, air or gas to produce powder of particle sizes ranging from +40 to -325 U.S. mesh, with an austenitic white cast iron structure and virtually no green resistance; annealing the particulate material in a reducing atomsphere; adding the annealed particulate material with a lubricant in such an amount that through a subsequent compacting operation of the particulate material to its final form same will present the highest green compact possible; burning off the lubricant in a protective atmosphere; sintering the compacted material and cooling it abruptly.