粉末冶金是由三個主要加工階段組成的成形和制造技術。首先，原材料是物理粉末，分為許多小的單個顆粒。接下來，粉末被注入模具或通過模具，以產生一個弱粘性結構（通過冷焊接），非常接近最終要制造的物體的尺寸。最后，端部通過施加壓力、高溫、長凝固時間（發生自焊）或其任何組合形成。

Powder metallurgy is a forming and fabrication technique consisting of three major processing stages. First, the primary material is physically powdered, divided into many small individual particles. Next, the powder is injected into a mold or passed through a die to produce a weakly cohesive structure (via cold welding) very near the dimensions of the object ultimately to be manufactured. Finally, the end part is formed by applying pressure, high temperature, long setting times (during which self-welding occurs), or any combination thereof.