The art and science of producing metal powders and using metal powders to produce serviceable metal objects. The process involves heating, or sintering, a compact formed by compression of metal powder under high pressure. The powder may be a single metal powder, a mixture of two or more metal powders, or alloy powders. Compositions and properties not attainable by the conventional method of melting and casting have been produced through powder metallurgy.

Figure P-18 is a photograph of two powder-forged connecting rods used in automobile engines. Developed in the mid 1980s, these powder forged connecting rods are in use in approximately seventy five million automobiles. Powder-forged units like these have higher dimensional tolerance and higher fatigue strength than cast iron connecting rods; they are lighter and less expensive to manufacture than cast iron rods.