The powder metal process is often used for small metal parts like gears, and can be used to lower the amount of material loss as well as the cost of the final product. The powder metal production process consists of three main steps:

1. Powder production- The metal powder is created from molten metal through gas atomization, centrifuges, or other techniques. Any fusible material can be atomized into powder, but some of the more common mixes are iron, steel, nickel, copper and aluminum.

2. Powder compaction- The powder is then compacted through the application of high pressure. The common method for doing this is using a die press with punches to form the compact, which is then ejected and ready for the final step.

3. Sintering- The compacted parts are then heated in a furnace in a process known as sintering. During the sintering process the powder essentially melts as the surfaces of the particles are bonded together. This increases the strength, ductility, and conductivity of the material.