US Patent 7255724 Metal powder composition and preparation thereof

The invention concerns an improved segregation-resistant and dust-resistant metallurgical composition for making compacted parts, comprising at least about 80 percent by weight of an iron or iron-based powder; at least one alloying powder; and (c) about 0.05 to about 2 percent by weight of a binding/lubricating combination of polyethylene wax and ethylene bis-stearamide, the polyethylene wax having a weight average molecular weight below about 1000 and a melting point below that of ethylene bis-stearamide, and being present in amount between 10 and 90% by weight of the binding/lubricating combination.