ABSTRACT
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While the heat treatment of powder metallurgy (P=M) parts can be exactly the same as other parts produced by other methods, majority of time, there are significant differences that must
be taken into account. Porosity, composition, and homogeneity are usually the causes for
these differences. Understanding the process of P=M is necessary to allow the heat-treatment professional to anticipate these differences and adjust for them. In addition, many P=M compositions exist that do not have wrought analogs, and hence can only be properly treated
with a knowledge of the specific system. Finally, there are also differences in the measurement
of some mechanical properties and the manner of proof tests.