Vacuum sintering is an economical manufactering process for PM components and tools of hard metal with complex carbides, which contain tungsten, titanium, tantalum, niobium or rare earth-metals respectively magnetic materials and metal-alloys like high speed steels, stainless steels and ceramics. The main technical advantages of the PM products is the better control of the structure during manufacturing, which leads to better homogenity and longer life time as well as lower distortion.

The main parameters which influence the quality of the sintered products and which can lead to scrap with essential costs in case they are not correctly selected are as follows:

• quality of the used material
• selection of the right material according to application
• preparation of the components
• quality of atmosphere and used gases for dewaxing
• temperature ield
• quenching riteria
• process ontrol
• selection of process

Because all heat treatment processes are empirical, the best solutions can only be found fast with the help of qualified experts.