State of the North American P/M Industry—2005

摘要

After a record-breaking 2004, the North American PI M industry entered this year optimistic, but still cautious. The caution has proven to be a reality check, as I will explain later in the presentation. Metal powder shipments in 2004 increased by 6.5% to 581,536 short tons, Figure 1. Iron powder shipments increased 7% over 2003 to 473,804 short tons, Figure 2. The P/M parts sector grew by 4.86% to 431,038 short tons. Copper and copper-base powder shipments in 2004 increased 11.3% to 25,204 short tons, Figure 3. The P/M parts sector of copper powder shipments increased 7.5% to 20,489 short tons. Stainless steel powder shipments increased 5% to an estimated 9,350 short tons. Tungsten powder shipments increased 16% to 3,500 short tons and tungsten carbide powder shipments increased almost 12%. Nickel powder consumption in the United States increasec slightly to an estimated 10,110 short tons. Tin powder shipments increased about 15% to 1,077 short tons.