Abstract: An improved composition, for the powder metallurgical manufacture by sintering of soft magnetic components which consists essentially of powdered iron and phosphorus. Phosphorus is present in an amount of up to about 1.5% by weight of the composition. The improvement comprises powdered iron at least about 99.8% pure and containing less than about 5% by weight of particles exceeding 35 Tyler mesh (417 .mu.m) and less than about 20% by weight of particles less than 100 Tyler mesh (147 .mu.m), the remainder of the particles being in the range between about 35 and 100 Tyler mesh (417 and 147 .mu.m). The phosphorus content and iron particle size distribution is such that on sintering the composition provides components of satisfactory mechanical strength and having soft magnetic properties about as good as or better than the soft magnetic properties of components made of solid iron of comparable purity.