High quality iron and steel powders are key raw materials in the manufacture of structural parts, filters and bearings. The manufacturing of these parts is accomplished through the powder metallurgy process consists of taking metal powders and mixing them with graphite, lubricants, and alloy additions. The powder mixture is then transferred to a die cavity and compacted to the desired shape.  Compacting pressures for ferrous powders range from 415 to 690 MPa (30 to 50 tsi). The as-compacted part is called a “green” compact.  It is sintered in a controlled atmosphere furnace – typically at 1120 0C (2050 0F) – in order to metallurgically bond the metal particles to one another. Some parts are used directly in the as-sintered condition but many are subjected to secondary operations such as sizing (to qualify dimensions), tumbling (to remove burrs and sharp edges), heat treatment (to develop the desired microstructure), or machining.