PM looks forward to pump impeller role

For the manufacture of small runs of corrosion and/or abrasion resistant pump impellers, powder metallurgy (PM) offers a potentially economic alternative to casting. A collaborative research project in Germany has investigated the potential of this application, including the ability of PM materials to perform in the harsh environments experienced by these parts. C.M. Sonsino of the Fraunhofer-Institut für Betriebsfestigkeit (LBF) in Darmstadt, R. Zieschang of KSB AG in Frankenthal, together with V. Arnhold. B. Hofmann and D. Gonia of GKN Sinter Metals in Radevormwald and K-H. Sandritter of Höganäs GmbH report on their findings.