Summary
This article looks at powder metallurgy part manufacturing (PM2), which forms metal parts by compacting metal powder in a die and sintering it just below its melting point. We ask how concentrated the U.S. industry is in a small rural area of north-central Pennsylvania, how that cluster came about, and what affects its competitiveness.
We describe the common PM2 processes and the resource and product markets producers depend on, then use U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data to document the geographic concentration. Our observations on technology practice draw on interviews, meetings, and collaborative research with PM2 firms in the region, their suppliers and customers, and industry trade groups.
In the fourth quarter of 2021, Jefferson, Elk, and Cameron counties held 38% of U.S. PM2 establishments, 38% of its workers, and 36% of its wages. The cluster traces back to pressed-carbon production in St. Marys in the late 1800s. Producers sell most of their parts to the automotive industry for internal combustion engines, and are adapting their processes for electric vehicles and non-automotive sectors.
Citation
Passmore, D. L., Baker, R. M., & Chae, C. (2023). Powder metallurgy part manufacturing concentrated in north-central Pennsylvania. Journal of Technology Studies, 48(1), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.21061/jts.413
Citation
@online{2023,
author = {},
title = {Powder Metallurgy Part Manufacturing Concentrated in
North-Central {Pennsylvania}},
date = {2023-07-07},
url = {https://chadchae.github.io/posts_publication/2023-07-07-powder-metallurgy-north-central-pennsylvania/powder-metallurgy-north-central-pennsylvania.html},
langid = {en}
}