The powder forging (PF) process is used to produce fully dense powder metallurgy (PM) parts for high performance automotive applications. PF connecting rods have been widely accepted in the US, Japan, and other countries due to higher performance and lower manufacturing costs when compared to conventionally forged steel connecting rods [1]. In order to meet and exceed requirements for higher fatigue strength and better machinability of PF connecting rods, a newly developed machinability enhancer, named KSX, was introduced [2]. A comparison study between powder forged materials prepared with 0.3% MnS and with 0.1% KSX additions showed excellent properties in the case of the mix with KSX.

In order to develop the SUS304L housing by powder metallurgy for an optical device useful for the FTTH communication system, the optimum compacting pressure and sintering temperature were investigated using granulated powder as the material to satisfy high air-tightness and high laser-weldability. Then the laser-welding test of specimen made under the optimum condition was carried out to observe welding sputters.

Ultrafine Au-Pb particles prepared by two method, (1) simultaneous evaporation of Au and Pb in inert gas and (2) subsequent vapor condensation of Pb in a differentially evacuated tube onto flying Au nanoparticles prepared by gasevaporation technique, were observed by electron microscopy. In the method (1), the particles that grew at the region where the two smoke masses converged, consisted of alloy phases. In the method (2), the particles consisted of two or three phases of Au, , and Pb phases in turn from the inner part, Pb-rich particles being composed of only two phases of and Pb.

Conventional high-speed steels, which are carbide decentralized materials, are used for sliding parts, but they lack sufficient hardness for some applications. Improvement of surface hardness is possible for high-Cr steels through nitriding. However, nitriding P/M parts is not advisable without sealing the porosity before treatment, as they will become brittle. However, it is difficult to seal the pores with steam treatment, because high-Cr steel has a passive film on the surface. Controlling nitriding by decreasing the amount of oxygen on the surface to be nitrided, and grinding to decrease the porosity of the surface, makes it possible to produce a material that has reasonable and sufficient hardness in the required areas.