Sintered Materials and Powder Metallurgy

Pennsylvania enjoys a dominant position in powder metallurgy and related sintered engineering materials, with estimates placing up to 40% of the world's commercial activities inside the state. Over 15,000 Pennsylvanians are employed in this industry. The state has some of the world's largest ferrous, superalloy, tool steel, copper-based, refractory, and cemented carbide manufacturing operations. This industry includes a few firms with annual international sales approaching $2 billion.

Additionally, related activities occur in plastic powders and ceramics. In Pennsylvania, plastic powders are a small business, but ceramic processing is a large and well-developed industry representing annual sales in the USA over $5 billion.

The CISP effort was initiated by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Technology Investment Authority.