Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing Concentrated in North-Central Pennsylvania

David L. Passmore; Rose M. Baker; Chungil Chae

doi:10.21061/jts.413

Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing Concentrated in North-Central Pennsylvania

Journal of Technology Studies

Volume 48 (2022): Issue 1

By: David L. Passmore , Rose M. Baker and Chungil Chae

Open Access

|Jul 2023

Abstract

The powder metallurgy parts manufacturing (PM²) industry is a significant part of the history of the economy and technology of Pennsylvania. Powder metallurgy parts manufacturing is a process for forming a metal part by compacting metal powder in a die and then heating the compacted powder just below its melting point (called ‘sintering’). Powder metallurgy parts manufacturing producers purchase specialized metal powders, lubricants, binders, additives, tooling, process equipment, and industrial gases. Powder metallurgy parts manufacturing producers in north-central Pennsylvania sell most of their PM² parts to the automotive industry for use in internal combustion engines. However, the PM² industry is adapting its processes for part production in electric vehicles and non-automotive sectors. The small number of specialized suppliers combined with a customer base centered on the automotive industry creates a highly competitive environment among PM² firms clustered in the small, rural three-county region of north-central Pennsylvania. Powder metallurgy parts manufacturing in the United States is highly concentrated in this region.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jts.413 | Journal eISSN: 1541-9258

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Language: English

Page range: 9 - 17

Submitted on: May 31, 2023

Accepted on: May 31, 2023

Published on: Jul 7, 2023

Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

metal manufacturers,

industrial concentration,

powder metallurgy,

history of technology

© 2023 David L. Passmore, Rose M. Baker, Chungil Chae, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 48 (2022): Issue 1