Background

Launched in Vienna at the PM2004 World Congress the GPMD is most significant joint project ever undertaken by the three major regional Powder Metallurgy trade associations that is the EPMA, JPMA and MPIF. The prime function of this “online” database is as a source of information for use by designers in PM end user and potential end user companies worldwide. Therefore it will be of major long-term importance for all companies in the PM industry.
Registrations in the First Nine Months

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites : Powder Metallurgy Database Information

The GPMD is hosted on a specifically registered website www.pmdatabase.com and users are able to register free of charge in order to access the database. In the first nine months since its launch over 1500 registrations from over 40 countries have been made of which around one third are specifically identified individuals from PM end user companies.
Information Available on the GPMD

Once registered, users enter the database via a “Windows” style interface and in a truly user-friendly format have various options in terms of the type and level of properties on which to search. They can see not only tabulated data but also automatically plotted graphs relating key variables such UTS, Yield Strength, Fatigue Endurance Limit etc. to Density etc.

AZoM - Metals, Ceramics, Polymer and Composites : Powder Metallurgy Database – Typical data
Data Download and Export

Indeed for those users who wish, the graphs are downloadable as pictures for inclusion typically in a MS Office document (Word etc.). Also specific properties (E.g. Young's Modulus, Density, Coeff of Linear Thermal Expansion) will be available for export to a file suitable to be read directly by the material databases of the popular FE systems (NASTRAN, ANSYS, Abaqus). This process will be a major benefit in terms of improving customer understanding of PM materials and their capabilities.
Notes for Designers

A fundamental principle of the database is that it provides information for a designer to explore the optimum use of PM for existing and new applications. So whilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality of the data provided, the database is not a substitute for direct contact with manufacturers. Data supplied takes the form of typical and statistical ranges and not guaranteed minimum properties.
Finding Solution Providers

To assist the user, following his search, the database provides information on the relevant trade association member companies who produce parts from the specific grades the user has identified. This enables the designer to make direct contact to discuss his suggested solution. Only paid-up members of the trade associations who have contributed to the database will be listed in this section
Scope of the Database

The database currently covers the following materials: PM Steels and Stainless Steels from 6.4 gm/cc upwards, Powder Forged Steels and bearing alloys. The project team is now working on a second stage for the expansion of the database including into MIM. The promotion of the database to end users will be undertaken not only by the three trade associations but also by their members, who stand to benefit both directly and indirectly from this excellent new source of information.