The powder metallurgy process can be competitive with processes such as casting and forging. Explain why this is so. Should green compacts be brought up to the sintering temperature slowly or rapidly?...

The powder metallurgy process can be competitive with processes such as casting and forging. Explain why this is so.

Should green compacts be brought up to the sintering temperature slowly or rapidly? Explain your reasoning.

Because they undergo special processing, metal powders are more expensive than the same metals in bulk form, especially powders used in powder-injection molding. How is the additional cost justified in processing powder-metallurgy parts?